13 




wentietb Century 
* Classics * 



No. 14. 



October, 1900. 



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I 

m 

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Shakespeare's 

Macbeth 



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12. John Brown, Part II. William Elsey Connelley. 

13. Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Margaret Hill McCarter. 

14. Shakespeare's Macbeth. Margaret Hill McCarter. 

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THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 
' AND SCHOOL READINGS 

UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF 

W. M. DAVIDSON 

SUPERINTENDENT OE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF TOPEKA, KANSAS 



Macbeth. 



TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS AND SCHOOL READINGS 






SHAKESPEARE'S 

MACBETH 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 



BY 



MARGARET HILL McGARTER, 

Formerly Teacher of English and American Literature, 
Topeka High School. 



Crane & Company, Publishers 

Topeka, Kansas 

1900 



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DEC 3 )9oo 

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SECOND copy 

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ORDER DIVISION 

)EC 4 1900 



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Copyrighted by 

Crane & Company, Topeka, Kansas 

1900 



INTRODUCTION. 

I. — Legendary Basis of the Play. 

"We are impressed with the broad sameness of the human lot 
that never alters in the main headings of its history, — hunger and 
labor, seedtime and harvest, love and death." 

With the accession of the House of Stuart to the throne 
of England, things Scottish took on a degree of popularity 
with the English people. The stage, always the exponent 
of the common sentiment, must have been quick to note the 
direction of public taste and to present those plays that had 
to do with Scotch history and character. 

While critics do not agree as to the exact date of the first 
presentation of Macbeth, it is evidently one of the popular 
plays of the early years of the reign of James I. In the 
diary of one Dr. Eorman, entry is made of the writer hav- 
ing seen the play at the Globe Theater on Saturday, April 
20, 1610. It was first printed in the folio of 1623. 

The sources of material for this play, partly legendary, 
partly historical, are found mainly in Holinshed's "Chron- 
icles." The poet, however, has drawn about equally from 
the record of the murder of King Duffe by Donwald, and 
the murder of Duncan by Macbeth. Briefly told, the story 
of Duffe as found in the "Chronicles" is this : Duffe began 
his reign in Scotland 968, A. D. His vigorous measures 
with criminals, and other reforms in his kingdom, made 
him so unpopular that there was much complaint of him, 
and rebellion against his authority was not uncommon. 

(5) 



q INTRODUCTION 

Meanwhile lie fell sick of a seemingly incurable ailing. 
While to outward appearance in perfect health, yet perspi- 
ration of body and sleeplessness daily sapped his strength. 
By-and-by it was whispered about that no natural illness 
had befallen the king. Discovery was made of three 
witches in Fores who by certain ceremonies of their arc 
were wearing out his life. By the execution of these 
witches the king was restored to perfect health. He at 
once led an army into the land of Murray to attack a re- 
bellious force there gathered. After its defeat and the 
execution of its leaders, a new foe secretly rose up against 
him. For among the noblemen executed were near rela- 
tives of one Donwald, a loyal subject and soldier to the 
king. So incensed was this Donwald by the slaughter of 
his kinsman that he contrived to have King Duffe mur- 
dered and himself to rule in the king's stead. 

For the story of Macbeth, a concise and comprehensive 
account is given by Sir Walter Scott, whose intimate knowl- 
edge of traditional Scottish history and researches in Scot- 
tish legendary lore make him valuable and interesting 
authority on these incidents. 

"Duncan, by his mother Beatrice a grandson of Malcolm 
II., succeeded to the throne on his grandfather's death, in 
1033 : he reigned only six years. Macbeth, his near rela- 
tion, also a grandchild of Malcolm II., though by the 
mother's side, was stirred up by ambition to contest the 
throne with the possessor. The Lady of Macbeth also, 
whose real name was Graoch, had deadly injuries to 
avenge on the reigning prince. She was the granddaughter 
of Kenneth IV., killed 1003, fighting against Malcolm II. ; 
and other causes for revenge animated the mind of her 
who has been since painted as the sternest of women. The 
old annalists add some instigations of a supernatural kind 



INTRODUCTION 7 

to the influence of a vindictive woman over an ambitious 
husband. Three women, of more than human stature and 
beauty, appeared to Macbeth in a dream or vision, and 
hailed him successively by the titles of Thane of Cromarty, 
Thane of Moray, which the king afterwards bestowed on 
him, and finally by that of King of Scots; this dream, it 
is said, inspired him with the seductive hopes so well ex- 
pressed in the drama. 

"Macbeth broke no law of hospitality in his attempt on 
Duncan's life. He attacked and slew the king at a place 
called Bothgowan, or the Smith's House, near Elgin, in 
1039, and not, as has been supposed, in his own castle of 
Inverness. The act was bloody, as was the complexion of 
the times ; but, in very truth, the claim of Macbeth to the 
throne, according to the rule of Scottish succession, was 
better than that of Duncan. As a king, the tyrant so much 
exclaimed against was, in reality, a firm, just, and equita- 
ble prince. Apprehensions of danger from a party which 
Malcolm, the eldest son of the slaughtered* Duncan, had set 
on foot in Northumberland, and still maintained in Scot- 
land, seem, in process of time, to have soured the temper 
of Macbeth, and rendered him formidable to his nobility. 
Against Macduff, in particular, the powerful Maormor of 
Fife, he had uttered some threats which occasioned that 
chief to fly from the court of Scotland. Urged by this new 
counsellor, Si ward, the Danish Earl of Northumberland, 
invaded Scotland in the year 1054, displaying his banner 
in behalf of the banished Malcolm. Macbeth engaged the 
foe in the neighborhood of his celebrated castle of Dun- 
sinane. He was defeated, but escaped from the battle, and 
was slain at Lumphanan in 1056." 

So much for the meager outlines of the history of a 
cruel warring age in Scotland. Out of these incidents the 
poet has woven one of the greatest dramas of literature. 
Its interest centers, not in the historical importance of the 



g INTRODUCTION 

play, but in the mental state of the chief actor. Its tragical 
element lies not nearly so much in the killing of a wicked 
king as in the murder of a conscience; in the growth of 
evil in a mind once noble. By a critical analysis of the 
play we shall find the exemplification of the divine law: 
''Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." 

II. — Critical Analysis of the Play. 

"Our deeds are like children that are born to us: they live and 
act apart from our own will. Nay, children may be strangled, but 
deeds never: they have an indestructible life both in and out of our 
consciousness." 

The drama portrays a conflict of ethical principles which 
is mediated by the subordination of the lower to the higher. 
In the drama of tragedy this mediation is accomplished 
only when with the lower principle is destroyed also the 
individual who is the bearer of that principle. In comedy, 
though the cause be lost, the individual, by repentance or 
other expiation, may yet be saved. Both tragedy and com- 
edy admit of further classification according as the conflicts 
that make them up are developed by external and natural 
means, or by internal and sometimes supernatural ones. 

The drama of Macbeth belongs to that group of plays 
that is based upon legend. Its story, half record, half hear- 
say, is neither wholly true nor wholly false. It is essen- 
tially a tragedy, for the representative of selfish ambition, 
passing from loyal patriotism to felony and treason, must 
perish with his purposes. Since he chooses to a jump the 
life to come," he shuts out repentance for himself and help 
from that merciful One who, like as a father, pities the 
sinful; and by whom alone crimson deeds may be made 
like wool. Lastly, it is a tragedy of the mind, an internal 



INTRODUCTION 9 

struggle wherein natural and supernatural means seem 
blended into one. 

The purpose of the poet whose themes were always uni- 
versal is to show forth the growth of evil iu a conscience 
that will not resist its promptings. The lessons of the 
drama are as pertinent to-day as they were in that far-off 
legendary age of Scottish annals, or when the poet framed 
the drama. 

It is not an easy matter to handle Macbeth. The tragedy- 
is set in such a lurid light; its hold is upon things of 
"such dreadful note" ; its sounds are so at variance with 

"The hive-like hum 
Of peaceful commonwealths" 

to which we daily give ear, that we call up a sort of 
courage to face it and follow out its finer meanings. 

The drama divides itself into two parts. The first, in- 
cluded in the first three acts, develops the crime. The 
second, occupying the last two acts, unfolds the penalty. 
The first division is introduced by the entrance of the 
witches who control and direct the whole part. Coming 
on to meet them are Macbeth and Banquo, loyal subjects 
of King Duncan, victors over his enemies, the forces of 
the invading and the rebellious Macdonwald. 

Note Macbeth well, for at this moment only will he 
command our admiration. A valiant general, a noble- 
hearted patriot, a loving husband, there is about him some- 
thing princely now as he rides home from battle. Let us 
keep the picture while we may, for we must see him again 
at the other end of the play, fighting like a wild beast, the 
enemy of all mankind, his greatest foe himself, his dying 
eyes looking only into eyes that hate him ; — let us not hurry 



10 INTRODUCTION 

on from this first meeting. Not so with Banquo. Until 

his hour of martyrdom we shall respect him more and 

more. But even now with the sweetness of the well-earned 

honors these two have won is mingled the bitterness of a 

guilty wish. At this point the witches appear, uncanny 

beings, who promise them the very things they have wished 

for. Had they not come just here, temptation might have 

passed by. Hardly are they gone before the fulfillment of 

their promises begins. The thane of Glamis, by order of 

the king, is made the thane of Cawdor. Then follows the 

struggle in Macbeth's soul, — that battle that comes 

"Between the acting of a dreadful thing 
And the first motion." 

It is the work of the first act to set forth this strife. Its 

result might have been a victory greater than any ever 

won on battlefields, had Macbeth fought with himself 

alone. But one of two forces outside he must combat: 

Banquo, shaming him into manhood again ; Lady Macbeth, 

driving him headlong to the crowning of his wicked desire. 

There is something exquisitely mournful in all this strife. 

Not more do the virtues of the gracious' Duncan 

"Plead like angels trumpet-tongu'd against 
The deep damnation of his taking-off," 

than do the virtues of Macbeth plead against his own self- 
murder, — his soul suicide. 

The second act embraces the murder of King Duncan, 
the only crime Macbeth had purposed committing. To 
compass that, however, two chamberlains must be slain. 
The loyal subject who put down rebels has himself turned 
traitor. To maintain this state he becomes a common as- 
sassin. The third act marks Banquo's downfall. Two 



INTRODUCTION H 

causes combined for this : Macbeth feared and hated 
Banquo because he had done the tiling Macbeth should 
have done, but did not do. Banquo stood a perpetual re- 
buke to the murderer, whose mind was already full of 
scorpions. This, combined with a bitter jealousy of 
Banquo's children, and the promise to them, grew to be 
cause sufficient for the hire of common ruffians to slay him. 
The second great division of the drama developing the 
penalty opens likewise with the witches, whose function 
again is to set in motion the machinery, this time of retribu- 
tive justice. But now it is Macbeth — who seeks the witches 
himself. The meeting, as before, is a turning-point in his 
career. Why does he come ? He has fulfillment now of 
all they promised him. Brave Macbeth, who as a free man 
rode proudly back from battle, lives now a cowardly slave. 
To know his future and to get assurance as to Banquo's 
issue, he seeks again those ministers of evil whom he fears 
and hates. They tell him what he would know: that his 
great enemy is Macduff ; that he bears a charmed life ; 
that the sons of Banquo, some with "twofold balls and 
treble scepters," shall by-and-by be rulers. Secure in their 
prophecy, he is determined never to swerve from his bloody 
course. In the last two acts the gathering of an army led 
by Macduff and the final defeat and death of Macbeth are 
accomplished. And when the curtain falls, Malcolm, 
Duncan's son, is Scotland's ruler. 

So much for the divisions of the drama and the purport 
of its several acts. We turn now to a closer scrutiny of 
the leading personages of the play and the lessons to be 
drawn from the whole. 

The drama is characterized throughout by a two-fold 



12 INTRODUCTION 

element, — the natural and the supernatural. In the nat- 
ural element the characters to be considered lived altogether 
in the natural world. They saw no witches, nor "air-drawn 
daggers," nor murdered men's ghosts, nor "damned spots" 
that could not be washed out. Most important of these are 
Macduff and Duncan. In the former we have the counter- 
part of the many brave leaders who have helped to save 
states from destruction. They are the power behind every 
throne, finding their greatest good in loyal service to their 
country. In Duncan we find the kindly-natured but weak 
ruler, from whose lax hold sooner or later the scepter 
would have been snatched. His subjects loved him, but 
they did not fear him ; a condition in that age of history 
suggestive of revolt, invasion, and overthrow. The men 
on whom he "built an absolute trust" were traitors to him. 
He could not read character well. His own was clear, and 
he had no proper compass of the deeds of men who spoke 
him fair. 

In the supernatural realm are the Weird Sisters. Half- 
way between it and the natural realm, tying the two to- 
gether, is the group composed of Macbeth, Banquo, and 
Lady Macbeth. They are of the natural world, yet over 
them is extended the baleful influence of that world of 
darkness and unreality to which the witches belong. These 
Weird Sisters themselves are the representation of the 
external mysterious influence controlling man's destiny. 
Their setting is in the discordant elements of nature. Their 
place, the blasted heath or the dreary cavern. Their en- 
trance is attended with thunder and lightning. They are 
creatures of the tempest, their companions, the repulsive 
toad, "the brinded cat," the hedge-pig. In appearance they 



INTRODUCTION 13 

personify the Ugly; strange sexless monstrosities, bearded 
women. Their moral natures are in keeping with their 
outward appearance. Filled with malice and envy, they 
are the enemies of all that is good and beautiful. They 
come into the play to work harm. With promises of pros- 
perity, they lead men on to nothing but defeat and final 
destruction of both soul and body. Their power lies in 
their gift of prophecy, which power we may better under- 
stand when we have considered a little further the purposes 
for which these creatures exist. 

The idea that Shakespeare himself believed in witches 
and their influence over men we cannot accept. Why, then, 
has he used the Weird Sisters to such powerful purpose in 
Macbeth ? They are the embodiment of the sum of condi- 
tions and qualities both internal and external that lead 
men on to evil. Beings of the storm and darkness, com- 
panions of what is hideous and loathsome, hostile, vengeful 
enemies of man in his power for usefulness, creatures to 
whom fair is foul and foul is fair, — they are the external 
form of the internal man in his evil desire, his wrong am- 
bition his selfish lust for gain or glory. They are the 
malevolent power in monstrous human shape that incites 
men on to guilty deeds and their terrible retribution. How 
could they be otherwise than prophetic? They speak the 
thing that man would be; they promise him what his 
soul is bent upon attaining, — aye, they promise him more ; 
for with the attainment of evil aims is born the power to 
destroy him who attains, and "erime and punishment," as 
Emerson has said, "grow out of one stem." 

One or two points may be noted here. If Shakespeare 
used the Weird Sisters only in a symbolic sense, how could 



14 INTRODUCTION 

they appear to more than one person ? We must remember 
that they were seen by Macbeth and Banquo, and that their 
promises were possibilities to each man. For Macbeth was 
in line of heirship to the throne, and, being childless, the 
sons of Banquo were not impossible claimants to the succes- 
sion. These two men returning home in the flush of victory 
were filled with ambitious thoughts — the one for himself, 
the other for his heirs. On the "blasted heath" as they ride 
along, the wish to attain their desires by foul means sud- 
denly projects itself externally in the form of the witches. 
It is clear that Banquo will see them but once, for he put 
away from him forever their evil promptings and kept his 
"bosom franchis'd and allegiance clear." 

The second point to be considered is the reason why 
Shakespeare did not tell us that he used the Weird Sisters 
only in a figurative sense. To have done this would have 
marred the whole drama. That we should feel and see what 
Macbeth felt and saw is the mark of skill in the play-writer. 
To have disillusioned the audience would have degraded the 
tragedy into weak comedy. When from our superior in- 
sight Ave are able to give points of instruction to the hero, 
the spell of the actor's power is ended. In the very height 
of ridiculous comedy in Midsummer Night's Dream (Act 
V., Scene V.,) the person who would represent the Avail 
and tAvo of the audience discourse as folloAvs : 

"Wall. In this same interlude it doth befall 

That I, one Snout by name, present a wall. 

The. Would you desire lime and hair to speak better? 

Dem. It is the wittiest partition I ever heard discourse, my lord." 

Even the great Teacher himself taught most in figures. 
And once He said: 



INTRODUCTION 15 

"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 
"Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in build- 
ing, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 
"But he spake of the temple of his body." 

So may the poet leave it to the scholar to find out the 
truth he hides in symbols. 

We come now to that group of characters over whom the 
witches exercised their art. They are altogether the most 
important personages of the play. Among these our ad- 
miration will center in Banquo, who met temptation, as he 
met rebels, with his armor on. His was an active imagi- 
nation. To him evil took on externality in the form of the 
Weird Sisters, and prophecy was for him as for Macbeth. 
Their dangerous power he resisted, as all men must who 
would not, throughout their days, stagger under the heavy 
burden of their own wrong-doing. 

In striking contrast with Macbeth's flurried pretense of 

grief is the calm speech of Banquo over the dead Duncan's 

body: 

"In the great hand of God I stand, and thence 
Against the undivulged pretense I fight 
Of treasonous malice." 

However much neglected may be the teachings of that 
Man of Galilee, the world never loses its admiration for 
the standard of manhood He set up : "If the Son therefore 
shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." It was this 
freedom, this self-mastery, that constituted the difference 
in the careers of the two great generals who had saved 
Scotland for its king in the opening of the play. 

We come next to a consideration of Lady Macbeth. Her 
part is a great lesson in itself. Her life has been a for- 
tunate one. The rank of a lady, the social distinction of 



16 INTRODUCTION 

the wife of the greatest general of the realm, the undivided 

love of her husband, the wide sympathies that motherhood 

alone can give, the great tenderness that comes from having 

buried a child, — all these were agencies that sought to 

shape her life. What might she not have been? we sadly 

ask. What she was, we must at once discover. Her very 

first sentence gives the key to her character : 

"Glamis thou art. and Cawdor, and shalt be 
What thou art promised." 

Her function in the play is to supply what her husband 
lacked, namely, firmness of purpose and self-control. With 
an ambition equal to his own, she leaps at once over every 
obstacle to the goal of her desire. No morality of means 
deters her thought for a moment. Her belief in the Weird 
Sisters is supreme, for they tell her what her mind is ready 
to receive. Yet she does not see them. Throughout the 
first part of the drama her strong will is a bar to the fan- 
tastic trickery of her imagination. At once a shrewd and 
daring woman, she knows her husband thoroughly, and she 
alone can give to his disposition the bent it needs to make 
him king of Scotland. But note the price she pays. Eor 
a queenhood she abjures her womanhood. For it she stifles 
love and strangles pity. By this crushing out of her finer 
emotions she gains, not the courage of a man, but the 
brutal daring of a fiend. When retribution comes to her 
it can but overwhelm her who would stop up "the access 
and passage of remorse." 

Withal she is a coward. She could not kill Duncan her- 
self, because he resembled her father. She fell fainting 
at the news of Macbeth's murder of the two chamberlains. 
Caught unawares, her self-control deserts her. Therefore 
we can anticipate her end. 



INTRODUCTION 17 

Such now is Lady Macbeth. She attains the throne. 
Will she rule a gracious, happy queen ? We shall see. 
In the last part of the drama she appears but once, — walk- 
ing in her sleep. Retribution in the form of an accusing 
conscience has overtaken her, and she must reap the har- 
vest of her own wrong-doing. Her self-control is gone, 
and she is 

"Troubled with thick-coming fancies 
That keep her from her rest." 

Over and over in her sleeping hours she lives through the 
assassination of King Duncan. She is the prey of all the 
Furies of Remorse that gnaw out her life. There is noth- 
ing in all the drama of literature more heart-breaking 
than that sad exclamation of hers, 

"The thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?" 

and the despairing sound of her final sigh. All the deep 
strength of her murdered wifehood and womanhood cries 
out against her here. Her conscience working through her 
imagination destroys her. Self -doomed, more needed she 
"the divine than the physician." The manner of her death 
we are not told, but its cause is perfectly apparent. 

The hero of the play is Macbeth. So many elements of 
his character have already been suggested, that we are pre- 
pared at once to discuss it. When first we meet him he is 
by right of bravery and loyalty the foremost man in Scot- 
land. In his own home he is an affectionate husband, 
whose loving regard for his wife from first to last never 
diminishes. This much is to be said in his favor. But 
the natural suggestion of reward to follow his military 
achievements, and the fact that he is in line of succession 

—2 



18 INTRODUCTION 

to the throne, give scope to his ambition, and lead on to 
the inception of a horrible possibility, namely, the forcible 
removal of King Duncan. The poet has not told ns this, 
but he has brought in just here the external personifica- 
tion of Macbeth's mind in the form of the Weird Sisters. 
These first incite him to deeds of crime, and then lead him 
on to punishment. So every evil choice carries with the 
choosing, the penalty for the act; and he who holds the 
assassin's knife in one hand, holds in the other the hang- 
man's rope for his own neck. 

Macbeth did not yield himself to the witches at once. 
Few men do. His was a growth in wickedness, each wrong 
step making the next a seeming necessity. The assassina- 
tion of Duncan to obtain the throne, the slaughter of the 
two attendants to conceal the act, the murder of Banquo to 
allay suspicion, the butchery of Lady Macduff and her 
helpless children in cruel spite, — what a chain of guilt has 
been forged out of that first yielding to a temptation born 
of wicked ambition ! And he w T ho saved the state grows 
enemy to all within its borders. 

Throughout the first part of the drama the imagination 
of Macbeth controlled him. Daggers of air and ghosts of 
dead men murdered were before his eyes. Agony of mind, 
fever-sickness of soul, the galling slavery of sin, — these 
were his daily portion. In the second part the imagination 
loses its hold. After the visit to the Weird Sisters, remorse 
is throttled, and there will be for him ' v no more sights." 
As Lady Macbeth declines in self-control and grows in 
feverish fancy, her husband shuts off all apparitions and 
steels himself to play his desperate part to the end. 

The first promise of the witches was promotion. The 



INTRODUCTION 19 

second promise was security; the security that would de- 
stroy him. His was a double destruction: the external 
retribution that overwhelmed him when Birnam wood came 
to Dunsinane; and the internal retribution that attended 
him all the way. For he died many times before his death. 
Life was for him but "a walking shadow," "a tale told by 
an idiot, full of sound and fury," and he was u aweary of 
the sun" long before Macduff's sword had run him through. 
So clearly has the poet put this magnificent drama that 
its teachings hardly need to be cited. It is a tragedy of 
the imagination. This was the power that deluded Mac- 
beth and destroyed his wife. Over it Banquo triumphed, 
and thus became mightier than "he that taketh a city." 
The play is marked by the absence of love. In the dread- 
ful deeds of this tragedy tenderness and sympathy have no 
place, for Shakespeare does not violate harmony of motive 
or action. The surety of the great law of retribution both 
external and internal, the growth of evil action, the curse 
of giving lodgment to evil thoughts, the penalty of waver- 
ing purpose to the right, the price of ineffectual dependent 
kingship, the outward success that bankrupts the soul, the 
need of constant self-mastery, — these are universal themes 
as true in their teachings to-day as they w r ere when Scot- 
land shuddered at a tyrant's cruelty. For the world has 
not yet lost its Macbeths nor Duncans nor Banquos. And 
that man is still the greatest sovereign, who, God helping 
him, can righteously rule the kingdom of his own soul. 

MARGARET HILL McCARTER. 
October, 1900. 



Macbeth 



(21- 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 



His sons. 

Generals of the king's 
army. 



Noblemen of Scotland. 



Duncan, King of Scotland. 
Malcolm, ) 

DoNALBAIN, ) 

Macbeth, ) 

Banquo, ) 

Macduff, 

Lennox, 

Ross, 

Menteith, 

Angus, 

Caithness, 

Fleance, Son to Banquo. 

Siward, Earl of Northumberland, general of the English forces. 
Young Siward, his Son. 
Seyton, an Officer attending on Macbeth. 
Boy, son to Macduff. 
An English Doctor. 
A Scotch Doctor. 
A Sergeant. 
A Porter. 
An Old Man. 
Lady Macbeth. 
Lady Macduff. 

Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth. 
Hecate. 
Three Witches. 
Apparitions. 

Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murderers, Attendants, and 

Messengers. 

Scene: Scotland; England. 



( 22 



ACT I. 

Scene I. A Desert Place. 
Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches. 

First Witch. When shall we three meet again 
In thunder, lightning, or in rain? 

Second Witch. When the hurly-burly 's clone, 
When the battle 's lost and won. 

Third Witch. That will be ere the set of sun. 

First Witch. Where the place? 

Second Witch. Upon the heath. 

Third Witch. There to meet with Macbeth. 

First Witch. I come, Graymalkin ! 

Second Witch. Paddock calls. 

Third Witch. Anon. 10 

All. Fair is foul, and foul is fair: 
Hover through the fog and filthy air. [Exeunt. 

Scene II. A Camp near Forres. 
Alarum within. Enter Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbatx, 
Lennox, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding Sergeant. 
Duncan. What bloody man is that? He can report, 
As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt 
The newest state. 

Malcolm. This is the sergeant 

Who like a good and hardy soldier fought 
'Gainst my captivity. — Hail, brave friend ! 
Say to the king the knowledge of the broil 

(23) 



24- TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act I 

As thou didst leave it. 

Sergeant. Doubtful it stood, 

As two spent swimmers that do cling together 
And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald — 
Worthy to be a rebel, for to that 10 

The multiplying villainies of nature 
Do swarm upon him — from the western isles 
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied; 
And Fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling, 
Show'd like a rebel's whore : but all 's too weak ; 
For brave Macbeth — well he deserves that name — 
Disdaining Fortune, with his brandish' d steel, 
Which smok'd with bloody execution, 
Like valour's minion carv'd out his passage 
Till he fac'd the slave; 20 

Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, 
Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps, 
And fix'd his head upon our battlements. 

Duncan. O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman! 

Sergeant. As whence the sun gins his reflection 
Shipwracking storms and direful thunders break, 
So from that spring whence comfort seem'd to come 
Discomfort swells. Mark, king of Scotland, mark : 
No sooner justice had with valour arm'd 
Compell'd these skipping kerns to trust their heels, 30 
But the JSTorweyan lord, surveying vantage, 
With furbish'd arms and new supplies of men 
Began a fresh assault. 

Duncan. Dismay'd not this 

Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo ? 

Sergea?it. Yes ; 



scene ii] MACBETH 25 

As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. 

If I say sooth, I must report they were 

As cannons overcharg'd with double cracks; 

So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe: 

Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, 

Or memorize another Golgotha, 

I cannot tell — 

But I am faint, my gashes cry for help. 

Duncan. So well thy words become thee as thy wounds ; 
They smack of honour both. — Go get him surgeons. 

[Exit Sergeant, attended. 
Who comes here? 

Enter Koss. 

Malcolm. The worthy thane of Eoss. 

Lennox. What a haste looks through his eyes! So 
should he look 
That seems to speak things strange. 

Ross. God save the king! 

Duncan. Whence cam'st thou, worthy thane? 

Ross. From Fife, great king; 

Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky 
And fan our people cold. Norway himself, 
With terrible numbers, 
Assisted by that most disloyal traitor, 
The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict ; 
Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapp'd in proof, 
Confronted him with self-comparisons, 
Point against point rebellious, arm 'gainst arm, 
Curbing his lavish spirit: and, to conclude, 
The victory fell on us. 

Duncan. Great happiness ! 



26 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act i 

Ross. That now 

Sweno, the Nbrways' king, craves composition; 
Nor would we deign him burial of his men 
Till he disbursed at Saint Colme's Inch 
Ten thousand dollars to our general use. 

Duncan. No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive 
Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, 
And with his former title greet Macbeth. 

Ross. I '11 see it done. 

Duncan. What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won. 

[Exeunt. 
Scene III. A Heath. 

Thunder. Enter the three Witches. 

First Witch. Where hast thou been, sister ? 

Second Witch. Killing swine. 

Third Witch. Sister, where thou % 

First Witch. A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap, 
And munch'd, and munch'd, and munch'd. 'Give me,' 

quoth I: 
'Aroint thee, witch!' the rump-fed ronyon cries. 
Her husband 's to Aleppo gone, master o' the Tiger : 
But in a sieve I '11 thither sail, 
And, like a rat without a tail, 
I '11 do, I '11 do, and I' 11 do. 10 

Second Witch. I'll give thee a wind. 

First Witch. Thou 'rt kind. 

Third Witch. And I another. 

First Witch. I myself have all the other, 
And the very ports they blow, 
All the quarters that they know 
I' the shipman's card. 



scene in] MACBETH 27 

I '11 drain him dry as hay ; 
Sleep shall neither night nor day 
Hang upon his pent-house lid ; 
He shall live a man forbid : 
Weary se'nnights nine times nine 
Shall he dwindle, peak, and pine: 
Though his bark cannot be lost, 
Yet it shall be tempest-tost. 
Look what I have. 

Second Witch. Show me, show me. 

First Witch. Here I have a pilot's thumb, 
Wrack'd as homeward he did come. [Drum within. 

Third Witch. A drum, a drum ! 30 

Macbeth doth come. 

All. The weird sisters, hand in hand, 
Posters of the sea and land, 
Thus do go about, about: 
Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine, 
And thrice again, to make up nine. 
Peace ! the charm ? s wound up. 

Enter Macbeth and Banquo. 

Macbeth. So foul and fair a day I have not seen. 

Banquo. How far is 't call'd to Forres \ What are these 
So wither' d and so wild in their attire, 
That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth, 
And yet are on 't ? — Live you ? or are you aught 
That man may question ? You seem to understand me, 
By each at once her choppy finger laying 
Upon her skinny lips : you should be women, 
And yet your beards forbid me to interpret 
That you are so. 



28 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act i 

Macbeth. Speak, if you can: what are you? 

First Witch. All hail, Macbeth ! hail to thee, thane of 
Glamis ! 

Second Witch. All hail, Macbeth ! hail to thee, thane of 
Cawdor ! 

Third Witch. All hail, Macbeth! that shall be king 
hereafter ! 

Banquo. Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear 
Things that do sound so fair ? — V the name of truth, 
Are ye fantastical, or that indeed 
Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner 
You greet with present grace and great prediction 
Of noble having and of royal hope, 
That he seems rapt withal ; to me you speak not. 
If you can look into the seeds of time, 
And say which grain will grow and which will not, 
Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear 
Your favors nor your hate. 

First Witch. Hail! 

Second Witch. Hail! 

Third Witch. Hail! 

First Witch. Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. 

Second Witch. Not so happy, yet much happier. 

Third Witch. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none : 
So all hail, Macbeth and Banqno ! 

First Witch. Banquo and Macbeth, all hail ! 

Macbeth. Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more : 70 
By Sinel's death I know I am thane of Glamis ; 
But how of Cawdor ? the thane of Cawdor lives, 
A prosperous gentleman ; and to be king 
Stands not within the prospect of belief, 



scene in] MACBETH 29 

Xo more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence 
Yon owe this strange intelligence? or why 
Upon this blasted heath yon stop our way 
With such prophetic greeting ? speak, I charge you. 

[Witches vanish. 

Banquo. The earth hath bubbles as the water has, 
And these are of them. Whither are they vanish'd ? 80 

Macbeth. Into the air; and what seem'd corporal melted 
As breath into the wind. Would they had stay'd I 

Banquo. Were such things here as we do speak about? 
Or have we eaten on the insane root 
That takes the reason prisoner? 

Macbeth. Your children shall be kings. 

Banquo. You shall be a king. 

Macbeth. And thane of Cawdor too : went it not so ? 

Banquo. To the selfsame tune and words. Who 's here ? 
Enter Ross and Angus. 

Boss. The king hath happily receiv'd, Macbeth, 
The news of thy success ; and when he reads 90 

Thy personal venture in the rebels' fight, 
His wonders and his praises do contend 
Which should be thine or his : silenc'd with that, 
In viewing o'er the rest o' the selfsame day, 
He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks, 
Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make, 
Strange images of death. As thick as tale 
Came post with post, and every one did bear 
Thy praises in his kingdom's great defence, 
And pour'd them down before him. 

Angus. We are sent 10 ° 

To give thee from our royal master thanks ; 



30 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act i 

Only to herald thee into his sight, 
Not pay thee. 

Ross. And for an earnest of a greater honour, 
He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor: 
In which addition, hail, most worthy thane! 
For it is thine. 

Banquo. What, can the devil speak true? 

Macbeth. The thane of Cawdor lives : why do you dre^s 
me 
In borrow' d robes ? 

Angus. Who was the thane lives yet, 

But under heavy judgment bears that life 
Which he deserves to lose, Whether he was combin'd 
With those of Norway, or did line the rebel 
With hidden help and vantage, or that with both 
He labour' d in his country's wrack, I know not; 
But treasons capital, confess' d and prov'd, 
Have overthrown him. 

Macbeth. [Aside'] Glamis, and thane of Cawdor ! 

The greatest is behind. — Thanks for your pains. — 
Do you not hope your children shall be kings, 
When those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me 
Promis'd no less to them? 

Banquo. That trusted home 

Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, 
Besides the thane of Cawdor. But 't is strange : 
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, 
The instruments of darkness tell us truths, 
Win us with honest trifles, to betray 's 
In deepest consequence. — 
Cousins, a word, I pray you. 



scene in] MACBETH 31 

Macbeth. [Aside] Two truths are told, 

As happy prologues to the swelling act 
Of the imperial theme. — I thank you, gentlemen. 
[Aside] This supernatural soliciting 
Cannot be ill, cannot he good: if ill, 
Why hath it given me earnest of success, 
Commencing in a truth ? I am thane of Cawdor : 
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion 
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair 
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, 
Against the use of nature? Present fears 
Are less than horrible imaginings: 
My thought, whose murther yet is but fantastical, 
Shakes so my single state of man that function 14 ° 

Is smother' d in surmise, and nothing is 
But what is not. 

Banquo. Look how our partner 's rapt. 

Macbeth. [Aside] If chance Avill have me king, why, 
chance may crown me, 
Without my stir. 

Banquo. New honours come upon him, 

Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould 
But with the aid of use. 

Macbeth. [Aside] Come what come may, 

Time and the hour runs through the roughest day. 

Banquo. Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure. 

Macbeth. Give me your favour: my dull brain was 
wrought 
With things forgotten. Kind gentlemen, your pains 150 
Are register' d where every day I turn 
The leaf to read them. Let us toward the king. — 



32 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act i 

Think upon what hath chanc'd, and at more time, 
The interim having weigh' d it, let us speak 
Our free hearts each to other. 

Banquo. Very gladly. 

Macbeth. Till then, enough. — Come, friends. [Exeunt. 

Scene IV. Forres. The Palace. 
Flourish. Enter Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Len- 
nox, and Attendants. 

Duncan. Is execution done on Cawdor ? Are not 
Those in commission yet returned ? 

Malcolm. My liege, 

They are not yet come back. But I have spoke 
With one that saw him die, who did report 
That very frankly he confess'd his treasons, 
Implor'd your highness' pardon, and set forth 
A deep repentance: nothing in his life 
Became him like the leaving it; he died 
As one that had been studied in his death 
To throw away the dearest thing he owed 10 

As 't were a careless trifle. 

Duncan. There 's no art 

To find the mind's construction in the face : 
He was a gentleman on whom I built 
An absolute trust. — 

Enter Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus. 
O worthiest cousin ! 
The sin of my ingratitude even now 
Was heavy on me: thou art so far before 
That swiftest wing of recompense is slow 
To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserv'd, 



scene iv] MACBETH 33 

That the proportion both of thanks and payment 

Might have been mine ! only I have left to say, 20 

More is thy due than more than all can pay. 

Macbeth. The service and the loyalty I owe, 
In doing it, pays itself. Your highness' part 
Is to receive our duties: and our duties 
Are to your throne and state children and servants; 
Which do but what they should, by doing every thing 
Safe toward your love and honour. 

Duncan. Welcome hither: 

I have begun to plant thee, and will labour 
To make thee full of growing. — Noble Banquo, 
That hast no less deserv'd, nor must be known 
No less to have done so, let me infold thee 
And hold thee to my heart, 

Banquo. There if I grow, 

The harvest is your own. 

Duncan. My plenteous joys, 

Wanton in fulness, seek to hide themselves 
In drops of sorrow. — Sons, kinsmen, thanes, 
And you whose places are the nearest, know 
We will establish our estate upon 
Our eldest, Malcolm, wdiom we name hereafter 
The Prince of Cumberland; which honour must 
Not unaccompanied invest him only, 40 

But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine 
On all deservers. — From hence to Inverness, 
And bind us further to you. 

Macbeth. The rest is labour, which is not us'd for you. 
I '11 be myself the harbinger and make joyful 
The hearing of my wife with your approach; 

—3 



34 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act 1 

So humbly take my leave. 

Duncan. My worthy Cawdor ! 

Macbeth. [Aside] The Prince of Cumberland! that is 
a step 
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, 
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires ! 
Let not light see my black and deep desires: 
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be 
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. [Exit. 

Duncan. True, worthy Banquo: he is full so valiant, 
And in his commendations I am fed; 
It is a banquet to me. Let 's after him, 
Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome : 
It is a peerless kinsman. [Flourish. Exeunt. 

Scene V. Inverness. A Boom in Macbeth's Castle. 
Enter Lady Macbeth, reading a letter. 

Lady Macbeth [Heads]. They met me in the day of suc- 
cess: and I have learned by the perfectest report, they have 
more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in 
desire to question them further, they made themselves air, 
into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the won- 
der of it, came missives from the Icing, who all-hailed me 
"Thane of Cawdor ; by which title, before, these weird sis- 
ters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time, 
with 'Hail, king that shall beT This have I thought good 
to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou 
mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of 
what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and 
farewell. 
Glamis thou are, and Cawdor, and shalt be 



scene v] MACBETH 35 

What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature; 

It is too full o' the milk of human kindness 

To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great ; 

Art not without ambition, but without 

The illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly, 

That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, 

And yet wouldst wrongly win : thou 'dst have, great Glamis, 

That which cries, 'Thus thou must do, if thou have it;' 21 

And that which rather thou dost fear to do 

Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, 

That I may pour my spirits in thine ear, 

And chastise with the valour of my tongue 

All that impedes thee from the golden round 

Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem 

To have thee crown'd withal. 

Enter a Messenger. 

What is your tidings ? 

Messenger. The king comes here to-night. 

Lady Macbeth. Thou 'rt mad to say it : 

Is not thy master with him ? who, were ? t so, 
Would have informed for preparation. 

Messenger. So please you, it is true : our thane is com- 
ing. 
One of my fellows had the speed of him, 
Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more 
Than would make up his message. 

Lady Macbeth. Give him tending ; 

He brings great news. [Exit Messenger. 

The raven himself is hoarse 
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan 
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits 



36 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act i 

That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, 

And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full 

Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood; 

Stop up the access and passage to remorse, 

That no compunctious visitings of nature 

Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between 

The effect and it ! Como to my woman's breasts, 

And take my milk for gall, you murthering ministers, 

Wherever in your sightless substances 

You wait on nature's mischief! Come, thick night, 

And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, 

That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, 

Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, 

To cry 'Hold, hold !' 

Enter Macbeth. 

Great Glamis ! worthy Cawdor ! 
Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter! 
Thy letters have transported me beyond 
This ignorant present, and I feel now 
The future in the instant. 

Macbeth. My dearest love, 

Duncan comes here to-night. 

Lady Macbeth. And when goes hence ? 

Macbeth. To-morrow, as he purposes. 

Lady Macbeth. O, never 

Shall sun that morrow see ! 
Your face, my thane, is as a book where men 
May read strange matters. To beguile the time, 
Look like the time ; bear welcome in your eye, 
Your hand, your tongue : look like the innocent flower, 
But be the serpent under ? t. He that ? s coming 



scenic VI] MACBETH 37 

Must be provided for : and you shall put 
This night's great business into my dispatch ; 
Which shall to all our nights and days to come 
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. 

Macbeth. We will speak further. 

Lady Macbeth. Only look up clear; 

To alter favor ever is to fear: 70 

Leave all the rest to me. [Exeunt. 

Scene VI. Before Macbeth' s Castle. 

Hautboys and torches. Enter Duncan, Malcolm, Don- 

albain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus, 

and Attendants. 

Duncan. This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air 
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself 
Unto our gentle senses. 

Banquo. This guest of summer, 

The temple-haunting martlet, does approve 
By his lov'd mansionry that the heaven's breath 
Smells wooingly here: no jutty, frieze, 
Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird 
Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle: 
Where they most breed and haunt, I have observ'd 
The air is delicate. 

Enter Lady Macbeth. 

Duncan. See, see, our honor' d hostess ! 10 

The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, 
Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you 
How you shall bid God 'ield us for your pains 
And thank us for your trouble. 

Lady Macbeth. All our service 



38 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act i 

In every point twice done and then done double 
Were poor and single business, to contend 
Against those honours deep and broad wherewith 
Your majesty loads our house : for those of old, 
And the late dignities heap'd up to them, 
We rest your hermits. 

Duncan. Where 's the thane of Cawdor ? 20 

We cours'd him at the heels, and had a purpose 
To be his purveyor; but he rides well, 
And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him 
To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess, 
We are your guests to-night. 

Lady Macbeth. Your servants ever 

Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs, in compt, 
To make their audit at your highness' pleasure, 
Still to return your own. 

Duncan. Give me your hand; 

Conduct me to mine host: we love him highly, 
And shall continue our graces towards him. 30 

By your leave, hostess. [Exeunt. 

Scene VII. Macbeth 's Castle. 
Hautboys and torches. Enter a Sewer, and divers Serv- 
ants with dishes amd service, and pass over the stage. 
Then enter Macbeth. 

Macbeth. If it were dune when 't is done, then 't were 
well 
It were done quickly: if the assassination 
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch 
With his surcease success; that but this blow 
Might be the be-all and the end-all here, 



scene vii] MACBETH 39 

But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, 

We ? d jump the life to come. But in these cases 

We still have judgment here; that we hut teach 

Bloody instructions, which being taught return 

To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice 10 

Commends the ingredients of our poison' d chalice 

To our own lips. He 's here in double trust : 

First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, 

Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, 

Who should against his murtherer shut the door, 

ISTot bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan 

Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been 

So clear in his great office, that his virtues 

Will plead like angels trumpet-tongu'd against 

The deep damnation of his taking-off ; 20 

And pity, like a naked new-born babe, 

Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubin, hors'd 

Upon the sightless couriers of the air, 

Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye 7 

That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur 

To prick the sides of my intent, but only 

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself 

And falls on the other. 

Enter Lady Macbeth. 

How now ! what news '. 

Lady Macbeth. He has almost supp'd: why have you 
left the chamber? 

Macbeth. Hath he ask'd for me ? 

Lady Macbeth. Know you not he has ? 30 

Macbeth. We will proceed no further in this business : 
He hath honour' d me of late ; and I have bought 



40 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act I 

Golden opinions from all sorts of people, 
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, 
ISTot cast aside so soon. 

Lady Macbeth. Was the hope drunk 

Wherein you dress' d yourself ? hath it slept since ? 
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale 
At what it did so freely ? From this time 
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard 
To be the same in thine own act and valour 40 

As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that 
Which thou esteem' st the ornament of life, 
And live a coward in thine own esteem, 
Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would/ 
Like the poor cat i' the adage ? 

Macbeth. Prithee, peace: 

I dare do all that may become a man; 
Who dares do more is none. 

Lady Macbeth. What beast was 't then 

That made you break this enterprise to me ? 
When you durst do it, then you were a man ; 
And, to be more than what you were, you would 50 

Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place 
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both : 
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now 
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know 
How tender 't is to love the babe that milks me : 
I would, while it was smiling in my face, 
Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums 
And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you 
Have done to this. 

Macbeth. If we should fail? 



scene vii] MACBETH 4| 

Lady Macbeth. We fail. 

But screw your courage to the sticking-place, 60 

And we J ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep — 
Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey 
Soundly invite him — his two chamberlains 
Will I with wine and wassail so convince 
That memory, the warder of the brain, 
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason 
A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep 
Their drenched natures lie as in a death, 
What cannot you and I perform upon 
The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon 70 

His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt 
Of our great quell? 

Macbeth. Bring forth men-children only ; 

For thy undaunted mettle should compose 
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, 
When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two 
Of his own chamber and us'd their very daggers, 
That they have done 't ? 

Lady Macbeth. Who dares receive it other, 

As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar 
Upon his death ? 

Macbeth. I am settled, and bend up 

Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. 80 

Away, and mock the time with fairest show: 
False face must hide what the false heart doth know. 

{Exeunt. 



ACT II. 

Scene I. Court of Maebeth's Castle. 
Enter Banquo, and Fleance bearing a torch before him. 
Banquo. How goes the night, boy ? 
Fleance. The moon is down, I have not heard the clock. 
Banquo. And she goes down at twelve. 
Fleance. I take 't, 't is later, sir. 

Banquo. Hold, take my sword. — There 's husbandry in 
heaven ; 
Their candles are all out. — Take thee that too. — 
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me. 
And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, 
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature 
Gives way to in repose! — 

Enter Macbeth, and a Servant with a torch. 

Give me my sword. — 
Who's there? 10 

Macbeth. A friend. 

Banquo. What, sir, not yet at rest ? The king 's abed : 
He hath been in unusual pleasure, and 
Sent forth great largess to your offices. 
This diamond he greets your wife withal, 
By the name of most kind hostess; and shut up 
In measureless content. 

Macbeth. Being unprepared, 

Our will became the servant to defect, 
Which else should free have wrought. 

(42) 



scene I] MACBETH 43 

Banquo. All 's well. 

I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters : 20 

To you they have show'd seme truth. 

Macbeth. I think not of them : 

Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, 
We would spend it in some words upon that business, 
If you would grant the time. 

Banquo. At your kindest leisure. 

Macbeth. If you shall cleave to my consent, when ? t is, 
It shall make honour for you. 

Banquo. So I lose none 

In seeking to augment it, but still keep 
My bosom franchis'd and allegiance clear, 
I shall be counselled. 

Macbeth. Good repose the while! 

Banquo. Thanks, sir : the like to you ! 30 

[Exeunt Banquo and Fleance. 

Macbeth. Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, 
She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed. — 

[Exit Servant. 
Is this a dagger which I see before me, 
The handle toward my hand ? — Come, let me clutch thee, 
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. 
Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible 
To feeling as to sight? or art thou but 
A dagger of the mind, a false creation, 
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? 
I see thee yet, in form as palpable 40 

As this which now I draw. 

Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going; 
And such an instrument I was to use. — 
Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses, 



44 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act 11 

Or else worth all the rest: I see thee still; 

And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, 

Which was not so before. — There 's no such thing : 

It is the bloody business which informs 

Thus to mine eyes. — "Now o'er the one half world 

Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse 

The curtain' d sleep; witchcraft celebrates 

Pale Hecate's offerings, and withered murther, 

Alarum'd by his sentinel the wolf, 

Whose howl 's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace, 

With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design 

Moves like a ghost. — Thou sure and firm-set earth, 

Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear 

Thy very stones prate of my whereabout, 

And take the present horror from the time, 

Which now suits with it. — Whiles I threat he lives : 60 

Words to the heat of deeds too cool breath gives. 

\_A bell rings. 
I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. — 
Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell 
That summons thee to heaven or to hell. [Exit. 

Scene II. The Same. 
Enter Lady Macbeth. 
Lady Macbeth. That which hath made them drunk hath 
made me bold; 
What hath quench' d them hath given me fire. — Hark ! 

Peace ! 
It was the owl that shriek' d, the fatal bellman, 
Which gives the stern'st good-night. He is about it: 
The doors are open, and the surfeited grooms 



scene II] MACBETH 45 

Do mock their charge with snores; I have drugg'd their 

possets, 
That death and nature do contend about them, 
Whether they live or die. 

Macbeth. [Within] Who's there? what, ho! 

Lady Macbeth. Alack, I am afraid they have awak'd, 
And 't is not done. The attempt and not the deed 
Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready; 
He could not miss 'em. Had he not resembled 
My father as he slept, I had done 't. — My husband ! 
Enter Macbeth. 

Macbeth. I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear 
a noise ? 

Lady Macbeth. I heard the owl scream and the crickets 
cry. 
Did not you speak? 

Macbeth, When ? 

Lady Macbeth. !Now. 

Macbeth. As I descended ? 

Lady Macbeth. Ay. 

Macbeth. Hark! 
Who lies i' the second chamber ? 

Lady Macbeth. Donalbain. 

Macbeth. This is a sorry sight. [Looking on his hands. 20 

Lady Macbeth. A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight. 

Macbeth. There 's one did laugh in 's sleep, and one 
cried 'Murther !' 
That they did wake each other: I stood and heard them: 
But they did say their prayers, and address' d them 
Again to sleep. 

Lady Macbeth. There are two lodg'd together. 



46 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act ii 

Macbeth. One cried 'God bless us!' and 'Amen' the 
other ; 
As they had seen me with these hangman's hands, 
Listening their fear. I could not say 'Amen' 
When they did say 'God bless us !' 

Lady Macbeth. Consider it not so deeply. 

Macbeth. But wherefore could not I pronounce 'Amen' ? 
I had most need of blessing, and 'Amen' 
Stuck in my throat. 

Lady Macbeth. These deeds must not be thought 

After these ways ; so, it will make us mad. 

Macbeth. Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no mors ! 
Macbeth doth murther sleep' — the innocent sleep, 
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care, 
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath, 
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course, 
Chief nourisher in life's feast, — 

Lady Macbeth. What do you meak ? 40 

Macbeth. Still it cried 'Sleep no more !' to all the house : 
'Glamis hath murther'd sleep, and therefore Cawdor 
Shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more.' 

Lady Macbeth. Who was it that thus cried? Why, 
worthy thane, 
You do unbend your noble strength, to think 
So brainsickly of things. Go get some water, 
And wash this filthy witness from your hand. 
Why did you bring these daggers from the place? 
They must lie there: go carry them, and smear 
The sleepy grooms with blood. 

Macbeth. I'll go no more: r>0 

I am afraid to think what I have done: 



scene II] MACBETH 47 

Look on 't again I dare not. 

Lady Macbeth. Infirm of purpose ! 

(Jive me the daggers: the sleeping and the dead 
Are but as pictures; ? t is the eye of childhood 
That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, 
I '11 gild the faces of the grooms withal; 
For it must seem their guilt. [Exit. Knocking within. 

Macbeth. Whence is that knocking? 

How is 't with me, when every noise appals me ? 
What hands are here? Ha! they pluck out mine eyes. 
Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood 60 

( !lean from my hand ? ^o ; this my hand will rather 
The multitudinous seas incarnadine, 
Making the green one red. 

Re-enter Lady Macbeth. 

Lady Macbeth. My hands are of your colour; but I 
shame 
To wear a heart so white. [Knocking within.] I hear a 

knocking 
At the south entry: retire we to our chamber. 
A little water clears us of this deed : 
How easy is it, then ! Your constancy 
Hath left you unattended. [Knocking within.'] Hark! 

more knocking. 
Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us T0 

Ajad show us to be watchers. Be not lost 
So poorly in your thoughts. 

Macbeth. To know my deed, 't were best not know my- 
self. [Knocking within. 
Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst ! 

[Exeunt. 



48 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act II 

Scene III. The Same. 
Enter a Porter. Knocking within. 

Porter. Here 's a knocking indeed ! If a man were por- 
ter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the key. {Knock- 
ing within.] Knock, knock, knock! Who's there, i' the 
name of Beelzebub ? Here 's a farmer, that hanged himself 
on th' expectation of plenty : come in time ; have napkins 
enow about you ; here you '11 sweat for 't. {Knocking 
within.] Knock, knock! Who 's there, in the other devil's 
name ? Faith, here 's an equivocator, that could swear in 
both the scales against either scale; who committed trea- 
son enough for God's s,ake, yet could not equivocate to 
heaven: O, come in, equivocator. {Knocking within.'] 
Knock, knock, knock ! Who 's there ? Faith, here 's an 
English tailor come hither, for stealing out of a French 
hose: come in, tailor; here you may roast your goose. 
{Knocking within.] Knock, knock; never at quiet! What 
are you ? But this place is too cold for hell. I '11 devil- 
porter it no further : I had thought to have let in some of 
all professions, that go the primrose way to the everlasting 
bonfire. — {Knocking within.] Anon, anon! I pray you, 
remember the porter. {Opens the gate. 

Enter Macduff and Lennox. 

Macduff. Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, 20 
That you do lie so late ? 

Porter. Faith, sir, we were carousing till the second 
cock. 

Macduff. Is thy master stirring? 
Enter Macbeth. 
Our knocking has awak'd him; here he comes. 



scene in] MACBETH 49 

Lennox. Good morrow, noble sir. 

Macbeth. Good morrow, both. 

Macduff. Is the king stirring, worthy thane ? 

Macbeth. Not vet. 

Macduff. He did command me to call timely on him : 
I have almost slipp'd the hour. 

Macbeth. I '11 bring you to him. 

Macduff. I know this is a joyful trouble to you; 
But yet 't is one. 50 

Macbeth. The labour we delight in physics pain. 
This is the door. 

Macduff. I '11 make so bold to call, 

For 't is my limited service. [Exit. 

Lennox. Goes the king hence to-day ? 

Macbeth. He does: he did appoint so. 

Lennox. The night has been unruly; where we lay, 
Our chimneys were blown down, and, as they say, 
Lamentings heard i' the air, strange screams of death, 
And prophesying with accents terrible 
Of dire combustion and confus'd events 
Xew hatch'd to the woeful time ; the obscure bird 40 

Clamour' d the livelong night; some say the earth 
Was feverous and did shake. 

Macbeth. 'T was a rough night. 

Lennox. My young remembrance cannot parallel 
A fellow to it. 

Re-enter Macduff. 

Macduff. O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart 
Cannot conceive nor name thee ! 

Lennox. 



h. j 



, What 's the matter ? 
Macbeth. 

—4 



50 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act 11 

Macduff. Confusion now hath made his masterpiece. 
Most sacrilegious murther hath broke ope 
The Lord's anointed temple, and stole thence 
The life o' the building. 

Macbeth. What is ? t you say? the life? 50 

Lennox. Mean you his majesty? 

Macduff. Approach the chamber, and destroy your sight 
With a new Gorgon. Do not bid me speak ; 
See, and then speak yourselves. 

[Exeunt Macbeth and Lennox. 
Awake, awake! 
Ring the alarum-bell. — Murther and treason ! — 
Banquo and Donalbain !— Malcolm ! awake! 
Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit, 
And look on death itself! up, up, and see 
The great doom's image ! — Malcolm ! Banquo ! 
As from your graves rise up, and walk like sprites, G0 
To countenance this horror. Ring the bell. [Bell rings. 
Enter* Lady Macbeth. 

Lady Macbeth. What's the business, 
That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley 
The sleepers of the house ? speak, speak ! 

Macduff. . O gentle lady, 

'T is not for you to hear what I can speak: 
The repetition, in a woman's ear, 
Would murther as it fell. — 

Enter Banquo. 

O Banquo, Banquo ! 
Our royal master's murther'd. 

Liady Mac h eth. W oe, a las! 

What, in our house ? 



scene in] MACBETH 51 

Banquo. Too cruel any where. 

Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself, 71 

And say it is not so. 

Re-enter Macbeth and Lennox. 

Macbeth. Had I but died an hour before this chance, 
I had liv'd a blessed time ; for from this instant 
There 7 s nothing serious in mortality : 
All is but toys : renown and grace is dead ; 
The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees 
Is left this vault to brag of. 

Enter Malcolm and Donalbain. 

Donalbain. What is amiss ? 

Macbeth. You are, and do not know 't : 

The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood 
Is stopp'd, — the very source of it is stoppM. 80 

Macduff. Your royal father 's murther d. 

Malcolm. O, by whom ? 

Lennox. Those of his chamber, as it seem'd, had done 't. 
Their hands and faces were all badg'd with blood; 
So were their daggers, which unwip'd we found 
Upon their pillows: 

They star'd and were distracted; no man's life 
Was to be trusted with them. 

Macbeth. O, yet I do repent me of my fury, 
That I did kill them. 

Macduff. Wherefore did you so ? 

< Macbeth. Who can be wise, amazVl, temperate and fu- 
rious, 
Loyal and neutral, in a moment ? ~No man : 90 

The expedition of my violent love 
Outrun the pauser reason. Here lay Duncan, 



52 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act ii 

His silver skin lac'd with his golden blood, 
And his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature 
For ruin's wasteful entrance; there, the murtherers, 
Steep'd in the colours of their trade, their daggers 
Unmannerly breech' d with gore: who could refrain, 
That had a heart to love, and in that heart 
Courage to make 's love known ? 

Lady Macbeth. Help me hence, ho! 1 °° 

Macduff. Look to the lady. 

Malcolm. [Aside to Donalbain^] Why do we hold our 
tongues, 
That most may claim this argument for ours ? 

Donalbain. [Aside to Malcolm] What should be spoken 
here, where our fate, 
Hid in an auger-hole, may rush, and seize us ? 
Let 's away ; 
Our tears are not yet brew'd. 

Malcolm. [Aside to Donalbain] Nor our strong sorrow 
Upon the foot of motion. 

Banquo. Look to the lady : — 

[Lady Macbeth is carried out. 
And when we have our naked frailties hid, 
That suffer in exposure, let us meet, 

And question this most bloody piece of work, 110 

To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us : 
In the great hand of God I stand, and thence 
Against the undivulg'd pretence I fight 
Of treasonous malice. 

Macduff. And so do I. 

All. So all. 

Macbeth. Let's briefly put on manly readiness, 
And meet i' the hall together. 



scene IV] MACBETH 53 

All. Well contented. 

[Exeunt all but Malcolm and Donalbain. 

Malcolm. What will you do? Let's not consort with 
them: 
To show an unfelt sorrow is an office 
Which the false man does easy. I '11 to England. 

Donalbain. To Ireland, I: our separated fortune 12 ° 
Shall keep us both the safer; where we are, 
There 's daggers in men's smiles : the near in blood, 
The nearer bloody. 

Malcolm. This murtherous shaft that 's shot 

Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way 
Is to avoid the aim. Therefore, to horse; 
And let us not be dainty of leave-taking, 
But shift away : there 's warrant in that theft 
Which steals itself when there 's no mercy left. [Exeunt. 

Scene IV. Without the Castle. 
Enter Eoss and an old Man. 

Old Man. Threescore and ten I can remember well : 
Within the volume of which time I have seen 
Hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore night 
Hath trifled former knowings. 

Ross. Ah, good father, 

Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act, 
Threaten his bloody stage : by the clock 't is day, 
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp. 
Is 't night's predominance, or the day's shame, 
That darkness does the face of earth entomb, 
When living light should kiss it ? 

Old Man. 'T is unnatural, 10 



54 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act ii 

Even like the deed that 's done. On Tuesday last, 
A falcon, towering in her pride of place, 
Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd. 

Ross. And Duncan's horses — a thing most strange and 
certain — 
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, 
Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, 
Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make 
War with mankind. 

Old Man. 'T is said they eat each other. 

Ross. They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes 
That look'd upon 't. Here comes the good Macduff. — 20 

Enter Macduff. 
How goes the world, sir, now ? 

Macduff. Why, see you not? 

Ross. Is 't known who did this more than bloody deed ? 

Macduff. Those that Macbeth hath slain. 

Ross. Alas, the day ! 

What good could they pretend ? 

Macduff. T'hey were suborn'd : 

Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons, 
Are stolen away and fled, which puts upon them 
Suspicion of the deed. 

Ross. 'Gainst nature still: 

Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up 
Thine own life's means ! Then 't is most like 
The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. 

Macduff. He is already nam'd, and gone to Scone 
To be invested. 

Ross. Where is Duncan's body? 

Macduff. Carried to Colme-kill, 



scene iv] MACBETH 55 

The sacred storehouse of his predecessors 
And guardian of their bones. 

Ross. Will you to Scone? 

Macduff. Xo, cousin, I '11 to Fife. 

Ross. Well, I will thither. 

Macduff. Well, may you see things well done there: 
adieu ! 
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new ! 

Ross. Farewell, father. 

Old Man. God's benison go with you, and with those 40 
That would make good of bad, and friends of foes ! 

[Exeunt. 



ACT III. 

Scene I. Forres. A Boom in the Palace. 
Enter Banquo. 

Banquo. Thou hast it now, — king, Cawdor, Glamis, 
all. — 
As the weird women promis'd, and I fear 
Thou play'dst most foully for ? t. Yet it was said 
It should not stand in thy posterity, 
But that myself should be the root and father 
Of many kings. If there come truth from them — 
As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine — 
Why, by the verities on thee made good, 
May they not be my oracles as well 

And set me up in hope? But hush! no more. 10 

Sennet sounded. Enter Macbeth, as Icing; Lady Mac- 
beth, as queen; Lennox, Ross, Lords, Ladies, and 

Attendants. 

Macbeth. Here 7 s our chief guest. 

Lady Macbeth. If he had been forgotten, 

It had been as a gap in our great feast, 
And all-thing unbecoming. 

Macbeth. To-night we hold a solemn supper, sir, 
And I'll request your presence. 

Banquo. Let your highness 

Command upon me, to the which my duties 

Are with a most indissoluble tie 

For ever knit. 

(56) 



scene i] MACBETH 57 

Macbeth. Ride you this afternoon? 

Banquo. Ay, my good lord. 19 

Macbeth. We should have else desir'd your good advice, 
Which still hath been both grave and prosperous, 
In this day's. council; but we'll take to-morrow. 
Is 't far you ride ? 

Banquo. As far, my lord, as will fill up the time 
'Twixt this and supper : go not my horse the better, 
I must become a borrower of the night 
For a dark hour or twain. 

Macbeth. Fail not our feast. 

Banquo. My lord, I will not. 

Macbeth. We hear our bloody cousins are bestow'd 
In England and in Ireland, not confessing 
Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers 
With strange invention: but of that to-morrow, 
When therewithal we shall have cause of state 
Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse: adieu, 
Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? 

Banquo. Ay, my good lord : our time does call upon 's. 

Macbeth. I wish your horses swift and sure of foot; 
And so I do commend you to their backs. 
Farewell. — [Exit Banquo. 

Let every man be master of his time J0 

Till seven at night. To make society 
The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself 
Till supper-time alone : while then, God be with you ! 

[Exeunt all but Macbeth and an Attendant. 
Sirrah, a word with you: attend those men 
Our pleasure ? 

Attendant. They are, my lord, without the palace gate. 



58 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act hi 

Macbeth. Bring them before us. — [Exit Attendant. 

To be thus is nothing; 
But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo 
Stick deep: and in his royalty of nature 
Reigns that which would be fear'd : 't is much he dares, 5 
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, 
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour 
To act in safety. There is none but he 
Whose being I do fear: and under him 
My Genius is rebuk'd, as it is said 
Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters, 
When first they put the name of king upon me, 
And bade them speak to him; then prophet-like 
They hail'd him father to a line of kings. 
Upon my head they plac'd a fruitless crown, 
And put a barren sceptre in my gripe, 
Thence to be wrench' d with an unlineal hand, 
ISTo son of mine succeeding. If 't be so, 
For Banquo' s issue have I fil'd my mind; 
For them the gracious Duncan have I murthered ; 
Put rancours in the vessel of my peace 
Only for them; and mine eternal jewel 
(liven to the common enemy of man, 
To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings ! 
Rather than so, come, fate, into the list, 
And champion me to the utterance ! — Who 's there ? — - 
Re-enter Attendant, with tiro Murderers. 

Xow go to the door, and stay there till we call. — 

[Exit Attendant. 
Was it not yesterday we spoke together ? 

First Murderer. It was, so please your highness. 



scene I] MACBETH 59 

Macbeth. Well then, now 

Have you considered of my speeches ? Know 
That it was he in the times past which held yon 
So under fortune, which you thought had been 
Our innocent self. This I made good to you 
In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you, so 
How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments, 
Who wrought with them, and all things else that might 
To half a soul and to a notion craz'd 
Say 'Thus did Banquo.' 

First Murderer. You made it known to us. 

Macbeth. I did so, and went further, which is now 
Our point of second meeting. Do you find 
Your patience so predominant in your nature 
That you can let this go ? Are you so gospell'd 
To pray for this good man and for his issue, 
Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave 
And beggar'd yours forever ? 

First Murderer. We are men, my liege. 

Macbeth. Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men, 
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, 
Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves, are clept 
All by the name of dogs: the valued file 
Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, 
The housekeeper, the hunter, every one 
According to the gift which bounteous nature 
Hath in him clos'd ; whereby he does receive 
Particular addition, from the bill 

That writes them all alike: and so of men. 10 ° 

Now if you have a station in the file, 
Not i' the worst rank of manhood, say 't, 



60 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act ui 

And I will put that business in your bosoms, 
Whose execution takes your enemy off, 
Grapples you to the heart and love of us, 
Who wear our health but sickly in this life, 
Which in his death were perfect. 

Second Murderer. I am one, my liege, 

Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world 
Have so incens'd that I am reckless what 
I do to spite the world. 

First Murderer. And I another 110 

So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune, 
That I would set my life on any chance, 
To mend it or be rid on ? t. 

Macbeth. Both of you 

Know Banquo was your enemy. 

Both Murderers. True, my lord. 

Macbeth. So is he mine, and in such bloody distance 
That every minute of his being thrusts 
Against my near'st of life: and though I could 
With barefac'd power sweep him from my sight 
And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, 
For certain friends that are both his and mine, 12 ° 

Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall 
Who I myself struck down: and thence it is, 
That I to your assistance do make love, 
Masking the business from the common eye 
For sundry weighty reasons. 

Second Murderer. We shall, my lord, 

Perform what you command us. 

First Murderer. Though our lives — 

Macbeth. Your spirits shine through you. Within this 
hour at most 



scene ii] MACBETH 61 

I will advise you where to plant yourselves, 
Acquaint with you with the perfect spy o' the time, 
The moment on 't ; for 't must be done to-night, 
And something from the palace; always thought 
That I require a clearness: and with him — 
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work — 
Fleance his son, that keeps him company, 
Whose absence is no less material to me 
Than is his father's, must embrace the fate 
Of that dark hour. Kesolve yourselves apart: 
I '11 come to you anon. 

Both Murderers. We are resolv'd, my lord. 

Macbeth. I'll call upon you straight: abide within. 

[Exeunt Murderers. 

It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul's flight, 

If it find heaven, must find it out to-night. [Exit. 

Scene II. The Same. Another Room. 
Enter Lady Macbeth and a Servant. 
Lady Macbeth. Is Banquo gone from court ? 
Servant. Ay, madam, but returns again to-night. 
Lady Macbeth. Say to the king, I would attend his 
leisure 
For a few words. 

Servant. Madam, I will. [Exit. 

Lady Macbeth. Nought 's had, all 's spent, 

Where our desire is got without content: 
'T is safer to be that which we destroy 
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. 

Enter Macbeth. 
How now, my lord! why do you keep alone, 
Of sorriest fancies your companions making, 



62 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act in 

Using those thoughts which should indeed have died 10 
With them thej think on ? Things without all remedy 
Should be without regard : what 's done is done. 

Macbeth. We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it: 
She '11 close and be herself, whilst our poor malice 
Remains in danger of her former tooth. 
But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, 
Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep 
In the affliction of these terrible dreams 
That shake us nightly; better be with the dead. 
Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, 
Than on the torture of the mind to lie 
In restless ecstacy. Duncan is in his grave; 
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well ; 
Treason has done his worst : nor steel, nor poison, 
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, 
Can touch him further. 

Lady Macbeth. Come on; 

Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks ; 
Be bright and jovial among your guests to-night. 

Macbeth. So shall I, love ; and so, I pray, be you : 
Let your remembrance apply to Banquo; 
Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue: 
Unsafe the while that we 

Must lave our honours in these flattering streams, 
And make our faces visards to our hearts, 
Disguising what they are. 

Lady Macbeth. You must leave this. 

Macbeth. O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! 
Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives. 

Lady Macbeth. But in them nature's copy 's not eterne. 



scene in] MACBETH 63 

Macbeth. There's comfort yet; they are assailable; 
Then be thou jocund. Ere the bat hath flown 
His cloister' d flight, ere to black Hecate's summons 
The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums 
Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done 
A deed of dreadful note. 

Lady Macbeth. What 's to be done ? 

Macbeth. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, 
Till thou applaud the deed. — Come, seeling night, 
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day, 
And with thy bloody and invisible hand 
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond 
Which keeps me pale ! — Light thickens, and the crow 50 
Makes wing to the rooky wood: 
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse, 
Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse. 
Thou marvell'st at my words ; but hold thee still : 
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill. 
So, prithee, go with me. [Exeunt. 

Scene III. A Park near the Palace. 
Enter three Murderers. 
First Murderer. But who did bid thee join with us ? 
Third Murderer. Macbeth. 

Second Murderer. He needs not our mistrust, since he 
delivers 
Our offices and what we have to do 
To the direction just. 

First Murderer. Then stand with us. 

The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day: 
Now spurs the lated traveller apace 
To gain the timely inn, and near approaches 



64 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act hi 

The subject of our watch. 

Third Murderer. Hark! I hear horses. 

Banquo. [Within] Give us a light there, ho! 

Second Murderer. Then 't is he : the rest 

That are within the note of expectation 
Already are i' the court. 

First Murderer. His horses go about. 

Third Murderer. Almost a mile: but he does usually, 
So all men do, from hence to the palace gate 
Make it their walk. 

Second Murderer. A light, a light! 

Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch. 

Third Murderer. 'T is he. 

First Murderer. Stand to 't. 

Banquo. It will be rain to-night. 

First Murderer. Let it come down. 

[They set upon Banquo. 

Banquo. O, treachery ! Fly, good Lleance, fly, fly, fly ! 
Thou mayst revenge. — slave ! — [Dies. Fleance escapes. 

Third Murderer. Who did strike out the light ? 

First Murderer. Was 't not the way ? 

Third Murderer. There 's but one down; the son is fled. 

Second Murderer. We have lost 

Best half of our affair. 21 

First Murderer. Well, let 's away and say how much is 
done. [Exeunt. 

Scene IV. Hall in the Palace. 
A Banquet prepared. Enter Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, 
Boss, Lennox, Lords, and Attendants. 
Macbeth. You know your own degrees ; sit down : at first 
And last the hearty welcome. 



scene iv] MACBETH 65 

Lords. Thanks to your majesty. 

Macbeth. Ourself will mingle with society 
And play the humble host. 
Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time 
We will require her welcome. 

Lady Macbeth. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our 
friends ; 
For my heart speaks they are welcome. 

First Murderer appears at the door. 
Macbeth. See, they encounter thee with their hearts' 
thanks. — 
Both sides are even : here I '11 sit i' the midst. 
Be large in mirth ; anon we '11 drink a measure 
The table round. — [Approaching the door] There "s blood 
upon thy face. 
Murderer. J T is Banquo's then. 
Macbeth. 'T is better thee without than he within. 
Is he dispatch'd ? 

Murderer. My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for 

him. 
Macbeth. Thou art the best o 1 the cut-throats : yet he 's 
good 
That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it, 
Thou art the nonpareil. 

Murderer. Most royal sir, 

Fleance is scap'd. 20 

Macbeth. [Aside] Then comes my fit again: I had else 
been perfect, 
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, 
As broad and general as the casing air; 
But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confm'd, bound in 
-5 



66 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act hi 

To saucy doubts and fears. — But Banquo ? s safe? 

Murderer. Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides 
With twenty trenched gashes on his head, 
The least a death to nature. 

Macbeth. Thanks for that. 

[Aside'] There the grown serpent lies; the worm that 's fled 
Hath nature that in time will venom breed, 
Xo teeth for the present. — Get thee gone: to-morrow 
We '1! hear ourselves again. [Exit Murderer. 

Lady Macbeth. My royal lord, 

Yon do not give the cheer; the feast is sold 
That is not often vouch/d, while 't is a-making, 
'T is given with welcome: to feed were best at home; 
From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony; 
Meeting were bare without it. 

Mdcbeth. Sweet remembrancer! 

Now good digestion wait on appetite, 
And health on both ! 

Lennox. May 't please your highness sit. • 

[The Ghost of Bancfiio rulers, and sits in Macbeth 's place. 

Macbeth. Here had w r e now our country's honour roof'd. 
Were the grae'd person of our Banquo present; 41 

Who may I rather challenge for unkindness 
Than pity for mischance! 

Ross. Ilis absence, sir, 

Lays blame upon his promise. Please T your highness 
To grace us with your royal company. 

Macbeth. The table 's full. 

Lennox. Here is a place rescrv'd, sir. 

Macbeth. Where? 

Lennox. Here, my good lord. What is ? t that moves 
your highness ? 



scene iv] MACBETH 67 

Macbeth. Which of you have done this? 

Lords. What, my good lord ? 

Macbeth. Thou canst not say I did it: never shake 50 
Thy gory locks at me. 

Ross. Gentlemen, rise: his highness is not well. 

Lady Macbeth. Sit, worthy friends, my lord is often 
thus, 
And hath been from his youth : pray you, keep seat ; 
The fit is momentary; upon a thought 
He will again be well. If much you note him, 
You shall offend him and extend his passion; 
Feed, and regard him not. — Are you a man ? 

Macbeth. Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that 
Which might appal the devil. 

Lady Macbeth. O proper stuff ! 

This is the very painting of your fear: 
This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, 
Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and starts, 
Impostors to true fear, would well become 
A woman's story at a winter's fire, 
Authoriz'd by her grandam. Shame itself ! 
Why do you make such faces ? When all 's done, 
You look but on a stool. 

Macbeth. Prithee, see there ! behold ! look ! lo ! ho 



w 



say you ?- 



Why, what care I ? If thou canst nod, speak too. — 

If charnel-houses and our graves must send 

Those that we bury back, our monuments 

Shall be the maws of kites. [Ghost vanishes. 

Lady Macbeth. What, quite unmann'd in folly 1 

Macbeth. If I stand here, I saw him. 



68 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act hi 

Lady Macbeth. Fie, for shame! 

Macbeth. Blood hath, been shed ere now, i' the olden 
time, 
Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal; 
Ay, and since too, murthers have been perform'd 
Too terrible for the ear: the time has been, 
That when the brains were out the man would die, 
And there an end ; but now they rise again, 
With twenty mortal murthers on their crowns, 
And push us from our stools. This is more strange 
Than such a murther is. 

Lady Macbeth. My worthy lord, 

Your noble friends do lack you. 

Macbeth. I do forget. — 

Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends ; 
I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing 
To those that know me. Come, love and health to all; 
Then I '11 sit down. — Give me some wine, fill full. — 
I drink to the general joy o' the whole table, 
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; d0 

Would he were here! to all and him wc thirst, 
And all to all. 

Lords. Our duties, and the pledge. 

Re-enter Ghost. 

Macbeth. Avaunt ! and quit my sight ! let the earth hide 
thee ! 
Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; 
Thou hast no speculation in those eyes 
Which thou dost glare with. 

Lady Macbeth. Think of this, good peers, 

But as a thing of custom : 't is no other ; 



scene iv] MACBETH 69 

Only it spoils the pleasure of the time. 

Macbeth. What man dare, I dare: 
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, 10 ° 

The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger; 
Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves 
Shall never tremble: or be alive again, 
And dare me to the desert with thy sword ; 
If trembling I inhabit then, protest me 
The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow ! 
Unreal mockery, hence! [Ghost vanishes. 

Why, so: being gone, 
I am a man again. — Pray you, sit still. 

Lady Macbeth. You have displac'd the mirth, broke the 
good meeting, 
With most admir'd disorder. 

Macbeth. Can such things be, no 

And overcome us like a summer's cloud, 
Without our special wonder ? You make me strange 
Even to the disposition that I owe 
When now I think you can behold such sights, 
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, 
When mine is blanch'd with fear. 

Ross. What sights, my lord ? 

Lady Macbeth. I pray you, speak not; he grows worse 
and worse; 
Question enrages him. At once, good night : 
Stand not upon the order of your going, 
But go at once. 

Lennox. Goodnight; and better health 120 

Attend his majesty ! 

Lady Macbeth. A kind good night to all ! 

[Exeunt all but Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. 



70 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act hi 

Macbeth. It will have blood, they say; blood will have 
blood : 
Stones have been known to move and trees to speak; 123 
Augurs and understood relations have 
By magot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth 
The secret'st man of blood. — What is the night? 

Lady Macbeth. Almost at odds with morning, which is 
which. 

Macbeth. How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his per- 
son 
At our great bidding? 

Lady Macbeth. Did you send to him, sir ? 

Macbeth. I hear it by the way, but I will send: 130 

There 's not a one of them but in his house 
I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow, 
And betimes I will, to the weird sisters: 
More shall they speak, for now I am bent to know, 
By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good 
All causes shall give way: I am in blood 
Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, 
Returning were as tedious as go o'er. 
Strange things I have in head that will to banc 1 
Which must be acted ere they may be scanned. 140 

Lady Macbeth. You lack the season of all natures, sleep. 

Macbeth. Come, we Tl to sleep. My strange and self- 
abuse 
Is the initiate fear that wants hard use: 
We are yet but young in deed. [Exeunt. 

Scene V. A Heath. 
Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting Hecate. 
First Witch. Why, how now, Hecate ! you look angerly. 



scene v] MAGBETH 71 

Hecate. Have I not reason, beldams as you are, 
Saucy and overbold? How did you dare 
To trade and traffic with Macbeth 
In riddles and affairs of death; 
And I, the mistress of your charms, 
The close contriver of all harms, 
Was never call'd to bear my part, 
Or show the glory of our art ? 

And, which is worse, all you have done 10 

Hath been but for a wayward son, 
Spiteful and wrathful ; who, as others do, 
Loves for his own ends, not for you. 
But make amends now: get you gone, 
And at the pit of Acheron 
Meet me i' the morning: thither he 
Will come to know his destiny. 
Your vessels and your spells provide, 
Your charms and every thing beside. 

I am for the air; this night I '11 spend 20 

Unto a dismal and a fatal end: 
Great business must be wrought ere noon. 
Upon the corner of the moon 
There hangs a vaporous drop profound; 
I'll catch it ere it come to ground: 
And that, distilPd by magic sleights, 
Shall raise such artificial sprites 
As by the strength of their illusion 
Shall draw him on to his confusion. 

He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear so 

His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace, and fear : 
And you all know security 



72 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act hi 

Is mortals' chiefest enemy. 

[Music and a song within: 'Come away, came away/ etc. 

Hark! I am call'd ; my little spirit, see. 

Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me. [Exit. 

First Witch. Come, let 's make haste ; she '11 soon be 

back again. [Exeunt. 

Scene VI. Forres. The Palace. 
Enter Lennox and another Lord. 
Lennox. My former speeches have but hit your thoughts, 
Which can interpret farther: only I say 
Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan 
Was pitied of Macbeth : — marry, he was dead ; 
And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late; 
Whom, you may say, if 't please you, Fleance kill'd. 
For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late. 
Who cannot want the thought, how monstrous 
It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain 
To kill their gracious father? damned fact! 10 

How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight 
In pious rage the two delinquents tear, 
That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep ? 
Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too; 
For 't would have angered any heart alive 
To hear the men deny 't. So that, I say, 
He has borne all things well: and I do think 
That had he Duncan's sons under his key — 
As, an 't please heaven, he shall not — they should find 
What 't were to kill a father ; so should Fleance. 20 

But, peace ! for from broad words, and 'cause he fail'd 
His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear 



scene vi] MACBETH 73 

Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell 
Where lie bestows himself? 

Lord. The son of Duncan 

From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth, 
Lives in the English court, and is receiv'd 
Of the most pious Edward with such grace 
That the malevolence of fortune nothing 
Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff 
Is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid 30 

To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward; 
That by help of these, with Him above 
To ratify the work, we may again 
Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights, 
Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives, 
Do faithful homage and receive free honours; 
All which we pine for now. And this report 
Hath so exasperate the king that he 
Prepares for some attempt of war. 

Lennox. Sent he to Macduff % 

Lord. He did: and with an absolute k Sir, not 1/ 40 
The cloudy messenger turns me his back, 
And hums, as who should say 'You '11 rue the time 
That clogs me with this answer.' 

Lennox. And that well might- 

Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance 
His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel 
Ely to the court of England and unfold 
His message ere he come, that a swift blessing 
May soon return to this our suffering country 
Under a hand accurs'd ! 

Lord. I '11 send my prayers with him ! 

[Exeunt 



ACT IV. 

Scene I. A Cavern. Li the Middle, a Boiling Cauldron. 
Thunder. Enter the three Witches. 

First Witch. Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd. 

Second Witch. Thrice and once the hedge-pig whin VI. 

Third Witch. Harpier cries, — 't is time, 't is time. 

First Witch. Round about the cauldron go; 
In the poison'd entrails throw. 
Toad, that under cold stone 
Days and nights has thirty-one 
Swelter'd venom sleeping got, 
Boil thou first i' the charmed pot. 

All. Double, double toil and trouble ; 10 

Fire burn and cauldron bubble. 

Second Witch. Fillet of a fenny snake, 
In the cauldron boil and bake; 
Eye of newt and toe of frog, 
Wool of bat and tongue of dog, 
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, 
Lizard's le^ and howlet's wins:, 
For a charm of powerful trouble, 
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. 

All. Double, double toil and trouble; 20 

Fire burn and cauldron bubble. 

Third Witch. Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, 
Witches' mummy, maw and gulf 
Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark, 

(74) 



scene i] MACBETH 75 

Rout of hemlock digg'd i' the dark, 

Liver of blaspheming Jew, 

Gall of goat, and slips of yew 

Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse, 

Nose of Turk and Tartar's lips, 

Finger of birth-strangled babe 30 

Ditch-deliver'd by a drab, 

Make the gruel thick and slab: 

Add thereto a tiger's chaudron, 

For the ingredients of our cauldron. 

All. Double, double toil and trouble; 
Fire burn and cauldron bubble. 

Second Witch. Cool it with a baboon's blood, 
Then the charm is firm and good. 

Enter Hecate. 

Hecate. O, well done! I commend your pains; 
And every one shall share i' the gains : 40 

And now about the cauldron sing, 
Like elves and fairies in a ring, 
Enchanting all that you put in. 

[Music and a song: 'Black spirits,' etc. Hecate retires. 

Second Witch. By the pricking of my thumbs, 
Something wicked this way comes. 
Open, locks, 
Whoever knocks ! 

Enter Macbeth. 

Macbeth. How now, you secret, black, and midnight 
hags! 
What is 't you do ? 

All. A deed without a name. 

Macbeth. I conjure you, by that which you profess, 50 



76 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act iv 

Howe'er you come to know it, answer me: 

Though you untie the winds and let them fight 

Against the churches ; though the yesty waves 

Confound and swallow navigation up ; 

Though bladed corn be lodg'd and trees blown down ; 

Though castles topple on their warders' heads; 

Though palaces and pyramids do slope 

Their heads to their foundations ; though the treasure 

Of nature's germens tumble all together, 

Even till destruction sicken ; answer me 

To what I ask you. 

First Witch. Speak. 

Second Witch. Demand. 

Third Witch. We '11 answer. 

First Witch. Say, if thou 'dst rather hear it from our 
mouths, 
Or from our masters. 

Macbeth. Call 'em; let me see 'em. 

First Witch. Pour in sow's blood, that hath eaten 
Her nine farrow ; grease that 's sweaten 
From the murtherer's gibbet throw 
Into the flame. 

All. Come, high or low; 

Thyself and office deftly show! 

Thunder. First Apparition: an armed Head. 

Macbeth. Tell me, thou unknown power, — 

First Witch. He knows thy thought: 

Hear his speech, but say thou nought. 70 

First Apparition. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! be- 
ware Macduff; 
Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me: enough. 

[Descends. 



scene i] MACBETH 77 

Macbeth. Whate'er thou art, for thy good caution thanks : 
Thou hast harp'd my fear aright: but one word more, — 

First Witch. He will not be commanded : here 's another, 
More potent than the first. 

Thunder. Second Apparition: a bloody Child. 

Second Apparition. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! 

Macbeth. Had I three ears, I'd heard thee: 

Second Apparition. Be bloody, bold, and resolute ; laugh 
to scorn 
The power of man, for none of woman born 80 

Shall harm Macbeth. [Descends. 

Macbeth. Then live, Macduff : what need I fear of thee i 
But yet I '11 make assurance doubly sure, 
And take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live; 
That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, 
And sleep in spite of thunder. 

Thunder. Third Apparition : a Child crowned, with a tree 
in his hand. 

What is this, 
That rises like the issue of a king, 
And wears upon his baby brow the round 
And top of sovereignty % 

All. Listen, but speak not to 't. 

Third Apparition. Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no 
care 
Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are: 91 

Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until 
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill 
Shall come against him. [Descends. 

Macbeth. That will never be: 



78 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act iv 

Who can impress the forest, bid the tree 

Unfix his earth-bound root ? Sweet bodements ! good ! 

Rebellion's head, rise never, till the wood 

Of Birnam rise, and our high-placd Macbeth 

Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath 

To time and mortal custom. Yet my heart 

Throbs to know one thing: tell me, — if your art 

Can tell so much, — shall Banquo's issue ever 

Reign in this kingdom? 

All. Seek to know no more. 

Macbeth. I will be satisfied : deny me this, 
And an eternal curse fall on you ! Let me know — 
Why sinks that cauldron ? and what noise is this ? 

First Witch. Show! [Hautboys. 

Second Witch. Show! 

Third Witch. Show! 

All. Show his eyes, and grieve his heart; 110 

Come like shadows, so depart ! 

A shoiv of eight Kings, the last with a glass in his hand; 
Banquo's Ghost following. 

Macbeth. Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo ; down ! 
Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs. — And thy hair, 
Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first. — 
A third is like the former. — Filthy hags ! 
Why do you show me this ? — A fourth ! — Start, eyes ! — 
What, will the line stretch out to the crack of doom ! — 
Another yet ! — A seveuth ! — I '11 see no more : — 
And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass 
Which shows me many more; and some I see 120 

That two-fold balls and treble sceptres carry: 
Horrible sight ! — Now I see 't is true ; 



scene I] MACBETH 79 

For the blood-bolter'd Banquo smiles upon me, 
And points at them for his. — [Apparitions vanish. 

What, is this so? 

First Witch. Ay, sir, all this is so: but why 
Stands Macbeth thus amazedly ? 
Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprights, 
And show the best of our delights : 
I 11 charm the air to give a sound, 

While you perform your antic round, 130 

That this great king may kindly s,ay, 
Our duties did his welcome pay. 
f Music. The Witches dance, and then vanish, with Hecate. 

Macbeth. Where are they ? Gone? Let this pernicious 
hour 
Stand aye accursed in the calendar! — 
Come in, without there ! 

Enter Lennox. 

Lennox. What ? s your grace's will ? 

Macbeth. Saw you the weird sisters? 

Lennox. !No, my lord. 

Macbeth. Came they not by you? 

Lennox. ~No indeed, my lord. 

Macbeth. Infected be the air whereon they ride; 
And damnVl all those that trust them! — I did hear 
The galloping of horse: who was 't came by? 14 ° 

Lennox 'T is two or three, my lord, that bring you 
word 
Macduff is fled to England. 

Macbeth. Fled to England! 

Lennox. Ay, my good lord. 



§0 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act rv 

Macbeth. [Aside'] Time, thou anticipate my dread 
exploits : 
The flighty purpose never is o'ertook 
Unless the deed go with it. From this moment 
The very firstlings of my heart shall be 
The firstlings of my hand. And even now, 
To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: 
The castle of Macduff I will surprise, 15 ° 

Seize upon Fife, give to the edge o' the sword 
His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls 
That trace him in his line. ~No boasting like a fool; 
This deed I '11 do before this purpose cool. 
But no more sights ! — Where are these gentlemen ? 
Come, bring me where they are. [Exeunt. 

Scene TI. Fife. A Room in Macduff's Castle. 
Enter Lady Macduff, her Son, and Ross. 
Lady Macduff. What had he done, to make him fly the 

land ? 
Ross. You must have patience, madam. 
Lady Macduff. He had none ; 

His flight was madness : when our actions do not, 
Our fears do make us traitors. 

Ross. You know not 

Whether it was his wisdom or his fear. 

Lady Macduff. Wisdom ! to leave his wife, to le,ave his 
babes, 
His mansion and his titles, in a place 
From whence himself does fly? He loves us not; 
He wants the natural touch : for the poor wren, 
The most diminutive of birds, will fight, 10 



scene ii] MACBETH gj 

Her young ones in her nest, against the owl. 
All is the fear, and nothing is the love; 
As little is the wisdom, where the flight 
So runs against all reason. 

Ross. My dearest coz, 

I pray you, school yourself: but for your husband, 
He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows 
The fits o' the season. I dare not speak much further; 
But cruel are the times, when we are traitors 
And do not know ourselves ; when we hold rumour 
From what we fear, yet know not what we fear, 20 

But float upon a wild and violent sea 
Each way and move. I take my leave of you ; 
Shall not be long but I '11 be here again. 
Things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward 
To what they were before. My pretty cousin, 
Blessing upon you! 

Lady Macduff. Father'd he is, and yet he 's fatherless. 

Ross. I am so much a fool, should I stay longer, 
It would be my disgrace and your discomfort: 
I take my leave at once. [Exit. 

Lady Macduff. Sirrah, your father 's dead : 30 

And what will you do now ? How will you live ? 

Son. As birds do, mother. 

Lady Macduff. What, with worms and flies ? 

Son. With what I get, I mean; and so do they. 

Lady Macduff. Poor bird ! thou 'dst never fear the net 
nor lime, 
The pitfall nor the gin. 

Son. Why should I, mother? Poor birds they are not 
set for. 

—6 



82 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act iv 

My father is not dead, for all your saying. 

Lady Macduff. Yes, he is dead: how wilt thou do for 
a father ? 

#or?/. Nay, how will you do for a husband ? 

Lady Macduff. Why, I can buy me twenty at any 
market. 

Son. Then you '11 buy 'em to sell again. 

Lady Macduff. Thou speak'st with all thy wit, and yet, 
i' faith, 
With wit enough for thee. 

Son. Was my father a traitor, mother? 

Lady Macduff. Ay, that he was. 

Son. What is a traitor ? 

Lady Macduff. Why, one that swears and lies. 

Son. And be all traitors that do so ? 

Lady Macduff. Every one that does so is a traitor, and 
must be hanged. 

Son. And must they all be hanged that swear and lie ? 

Lady Macduff. Every one. 

#07i. Who must hang them? 

Lady Macduff. Why, the honest men. 

Son. Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are 
liars and swearers enow to beat the honest men and hang 
up them. 

Lady Macduff. Now, God help thee, poor monkey ! But 
how wilt thou do for a father? 

Son. If he wore dead, you'd weep for him; if you 
would not, it were a good sign that I should quickly have 
a new father. 

Lady Macduff. Poor prattler, how thou tabVst! 



scene ii] MACBETH 83 

Enter a Messenger. 

Messenger. Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you 
known, 
Though in your state of honour I am perfect. 
I doubt some danger does approach you nearly: 
If you will take a homely man's advice, 
Be not found here; hence, with your little ones. 
To fright you thus, me thinks I am too savage ; 
To do worse to you were fell cruelty, 
Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you ! 
I dare abide no longer. [Exit. 

Lady Macduff. Whither should I fly? 

I have done no harm. But I remember now 
I am in this earthly world, where to do harm 
Is often laudable, to do good sometime 
Accounted dangerous folly : why then, alas, 
Do I put up that womanly defence, 
To say I have done no harm? — 

Enter Murderers. 

What are these faces ? 

First Murderer. Where is your husband? 

Lady Macduff. I hope, in no place so unsanctified 80 
Where such as thou mayst find him. 

First Murderer. He 's a traitor. 

Son. Thou liest, thou shag-hair'd villain ! 

First Murderer. What, you ego : 

[Stabbing him. 
Young fry of treachery ! 

Son. He has kill'd me, mother: 

Kun away, I pray you ! [Dies. 

[Exit Lady Macduff,, crying 'Murther !' 
Exeunt Murderers, following her. 



84 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act iv 

Scene III. England. Before the King's Palace. 
Enter Malcolm and Macduff. 

Malcolm. Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there 
Weep our sad bosoms empty. 

Macduff. Let us rather 

Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men 
Bestride our down-fallen birthdom. Each new morn 
New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows 
Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds 
As if it felt with Scotland and yell'd out 
Like syllable of dolour. 

Malcolm, What I believe, I '11 wail ; 

What know, believe ; and what I can redress, 
As I shall find the time to friend, I will. 
What you have spoke, it may be so perchance. 
This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, 
W T as once thought honest: you have lov'd him well; 
He hath not touch' d you yet. I am young; but something 
You may deserve of him through me, and wisdom 
To offer up a weak poor innocent lamb 
To appease an angry god. 

Macduff. I am not treacherous. 

Malcolm. But Macbeth is. 

A good and virtuous nature may recoil 
In an imperial charge. But I shall crave your pardon ; 20 
That which you are my thoughts cannot transpose ; 
Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell ; 
Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, 
Yet grace must still look so. 

Macduff. I have lost my hopes. 



scene in] MACBETH 85 

Malcolm. Perchance even there where I did find my 
doubts. 
Why in that rawness left your wife and child, 
Those precious motives, those strong knots of love, 
Without leave-taking? I pray you, 
Let not my jealousies be your dishonours, 
But mine own safeties : you may be rightly just, 30 

Whatever I shall think. 

Macduff. Bleed, bleed, poor country ! 

Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure, 
For goodness dare not check thee ! wear thou thy wrongs ; 
The title is affeer'd ! — Fare thee well, lord : 
I would not be the villain that thou think'st 
For the whole space that 's in the tyrant's grasp, 
And the rich East to boot. 

Malcolm. Be not offended : 

I speak not as in absolute fear of you. 
I think our country sinks beneath the yoke; 
It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash 40 

Is added to her wounds : I think withal 
There would be hands uplifted in my right; 
And here from gracious England have I offer 
Of goodly thousands ; but for all this, 
When I shall tread upon the tyrant's head, 
Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country 
Shall have more vices than it had before, 
More suffer, and more sundry ways than ever, 
By him that shall succeed. 

Macduff. What should he be? 

Malcolm. It is myself I mean ; in whom I know 50 
All the particulars of vice so grafted 



ao 



86 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act iv 

That, when they shall be open'd, black Macbeth 
Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state 
Esteem him as a lamb, being compar'd 
With my confineless harms. 

Macduff. Not in the legions 

Of horrid hell can come a devil more damnd 
In evils to top Macbeth. 

Malcolm. I grant him bloody, 

Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, 
Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin 
That has a name ; but there 's no bottom, none, 
In my voluptuousness : your wives, your daughters, 
Your matrons and your maids, could not fill up 
The cistern of my lust, and my desire 
All continent impediments would o'erbear 
That did oppose my will. Better Macbeth 
Than such an one to reign. 

Macduff. Boundless intemperance 

In nature is a tyranny ; it hath been 
The untimely emptying of the happy throne, 
And fall of many kings. But fear not yet 
To take upon you what is yours ; you may 
Convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty, 
And yet seem cold, the time you may so hoodwink. 
We have willing dames enough; there cannot be 
That vulture in you, to devour so many 
As will to greatness dedicate themselves, 
Finding it so inclin'd. 

Malcolm. With this there grows 

In my most ilbcompos'd affection such 
A stanchless avarice that, were I king, 



scene in] MACBETH 87 

I should cut off the nobles for their lands, 



Desire his jewels and this other's house; 80 

Arid my more-having would be as a sauce 
To make me hunger more, that I should forge 
Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal, 
Destroying them for wealth. 

Macduff. This avarice 

Sticks deeper, grows with more pernicious root 
Than summer-seeming lust, and it hath been 
The sword of our slain kings: yet do not fear; 
Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will, 
Of your mere own. All these are portable, 
With other graces weigh' d. 90 

Malcolm. But I have none: the king-becoming graces, 
As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, 
Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowlme 
Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude, 
I have no relish of them, but abound 
hi the division of each several crime, 
Acting it in many ways. Nay, had I power, I should 
Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell, 
Uproar the universal peace, confound 
All unity on earth. 

Macduff. O Scotland, Scotland! 10 ° 

Malcolm. If such a one be fit to govern, speak: 
I am as I have spoken. 

Macduff. Fit to govern! 

No, not to live. — O nation miserable! 
With an untitled tyrant bloody-scepter'd, 
When shalt thou see thy wholesome days, again, 
Since that the truest issue of thy throne 



88 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act iv 

By his own interdiction stands accurs'd, 

And does blaspheme his breed ? — Thy royal father 

Was a most sainted king: the queen that bore thee, 

Oftener upon her knees than on her feet, 110 

Died every day she liv'd. — Fare thee well ! 

These evils thou repeat'st upon thyself 

Have banish'd me from Scotland. — O my breast, 

Thy hope ends here! 

Malcolm. Macduff, this noble passion, 

Child of integrity hath from my soul 
Wip'd the black scruples, reconcil'd my thoughts 
To thy good truth and honour. Devilish Macbeth 
By many of these trains hath sought to win me 
Into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me 
From over-credulous haste: but God above -- 

Deal between thee and me ! for even now 
I put myself to thy direction, and 
Unspeak mine own detraction, here abjure 
The taints and blames I laid upon myself, 
For strangers to my nature. I am yet 
Unknown to woman, never was forsworn, 
Scarcely have coveted what was mine own, 
At no time broke my faith, would not betray 
The devil to his fellow, and delight 

No less in truth than life: my first false speaking 130 
Was this upon myself. What I am truly 
Is thine and my poor country's to command ; 
Whither indeed, before thy here-approaeh, 
Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men, 
Already at a point, was setting forth. 
Now we Tl together, and the chance of goodness 
Be like our warranted quarrel! Why are you silent? 



scene in] MACBETH 89 

Macduff. Such welcome and unwelcome things at once 
'T is hard to reconcile. 

Enter a Doctor. 
Malcolm, Well, more anon. — Comes the king forth, I 

9 140 

pray you I 

Doctor. Ay, sir; there are a crew of wretched souls 
That stay his cure: their malady convinces 
The great assay of art; but at his touch, 
Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand, 
They presently amend. 

Malcolm. I thank you, doctor. [Exit Doctor. 

Macduff. What 's the disease he means I 

Malcolm. 7 T is call'd the evil: 

A most miraculous work in this good king; 
Which often, since my here-remain in England, 
I have seen him do. How he solicits heaven, 
Himself best knows : but strangely-visited people, 150 

All swoln and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye, 
The mere despair of surgery, he cures, 
Hanging a golden stamp about their necks, 
Put on with holy prayers ; and 't is spoken, 
To the succeeding royalty he leaves 
The healing benediction. With this strange virtue, 
He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy, 
And sundry blessings hang about his throne 
That speak him full of grace. 

Enter Ross. 

Macduff. See, who comes here ? 

Malcolm. My countryman ; but yet I know him not. 16 ° 
Macduff. My ever-gentle cousin, welcome hither. 



90 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act iv 

Malcolm. I know him now. Good God, betimes remove 
The means that makes us strangers ! 

Ross. Sir, amen. 

Macduff. Stands Scotland where it did? 

Ross. Alas, poor country ! 

Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot 
Be call'd our mother, but our grave; where nothing, 
But who knows nothing, is once seen to smile; 
Where sighs and groans and shrieks that rent the air 
Are made, not mark'd; where violent sorrow seems 
A modern ecstacy: the dead man's knell 17 ° 

Is there scarce ask'd for who; and good men's lives 
Expire before the flowers in their caps, 
Dying or ere they sicken. 

Macduff. O, relation 

Too nice, and yet too true ! 

Malcolm. What's the newest grief? 

Ross. That of an hour's age doth hiss the speaker; 
Each minute teems a new one. 

Macduff. How does my wife? 

Ross. Why, well. 

Macduff. And all my children ? 

Ross. Well too. 

Macduff. The tyrant has not batter' d at their peace ? 

Ross. No ; they were well at peace when I did leave 'em. 

Macduff. Be not a niggard of your speech : how goes 't ? 

Ross. When I came hither to transport the tidings 181 
Which I have heavily borne, there ran a rumour 
Of many worthy fellows that were out; 
Which was to my belief witness'd the rather, 
For that I saw the tyrant's power afoot. 



scene in] MACBETH 91 

Now is the time of help; your eye in Scotland 
Would create soldiers, make our women fight, 
To doff their dire distresses. 

Malcolm. Be 't their comfort 

We are coming thither; gracious England hath 
Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men ; 190 

An older and a better soldier none 
That Christendom gives out. 

Boss. Would I could answer 

This comfort with the like! But I have words 
That would be howl'd out in the desert air, 
Where hearing should not latch them. 

Macduff. What concern they I 

The general cause ? or is it a fee-grief 
Due to some single breast? 

Boss. No mind that 's honest 

But in it shares some woe, though the main part 
Pertains to you alone. 

Macduff. If it be mine, 

Keep it not from me, quickly let me have it. 2u0 

Boss. Let not your ears despise my tongue for ever, 
Which shall possess them with the heaviest sound 
That ever yet they heard. 

Macduff. Hum ! I guess at it. 

Boss. Your castle is surprised; your wife and babes 
Savagely slaughter' d : to relate the manner, 
Were, on the quarry of these murther'd deer, 
To add the death of you. 

Malcolm. Merciful heaven ! — 

Whatj man ! ne'er pull your hat upon your brows ; 
Give sorrow words: the grief that does not speak 



92 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act iv 

Whispers the o'er-fr aught heart, and bids it break. 21 ° 

Macduff. My children too ? 

Boss. Wife, children, servants, all. 

That could be found. 

Macduff. And I must be from thence ! — 

My wife kill'cl too ? 

Ross. I have said. 

Malcolm. Be comforted: 

Let 's make us medicines of our great revenge, 
To cure this deadly grief. 

Macduff. He has no children. — All my pretty ones ? 
Did you say all ?— O hell-kite !— All % 
What, all my pretty chickens and their dam 
At one fell swoop ? 

Malcolm. Dispute it like a man. 

Macduff. I shall do so; 220 

But I must also feel it as a man : 
I cannot but remember such things were, 
That were most precious to me. — Did heaven look on, 
And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff, 
They were all struck for thee ! naught that I am, 
Not for their own demerits, but for mine, 
Fell slaughter on their souls. Heaven rest them now ! 

Malcolm. Be this the whetstone of your sword : let grief 
Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it. 

Macduff. O, I could play the woman with mine eyes, 230 
And braggart with my tongue ! — But, gentle heavens, 
Cut short all intermission ; front to front 
Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself; 
Within my sword's length set him; if he scape, 
Heaven forgive him too ! 



scene in] MACBETH 93 

Malcolm. This tune goes manly. 

Come, go we to the king: our power is ready; 
Our lack is nothing but our leave. Macbeth 
Is ripe for shaking, and the powers above 
Put on their instruments. Receive what cheer you may; 
The night is long that never finds the day. 240 

[Exeunt. 



ACT V. 

Scene I. Dunsinane. A Room in the Castle. 
Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting Gentlewoman. 

Doctor. I have two nights watched with yon, but can per 
ceive no truth in your report. When was it she last walked ? 

Gentlewoman. Since his majesty went into the field, I 
have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown npon 
her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon 
't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed ; yet 
all this while in a most fast sleep. 

Doctor. A great' perturbation in nature, to receive at once 
the benefit of sleep and do the effects of watching! In this 
slumbery agitation, besides her walking and other actual 
performances, what at any time have you heard her say ? n 

Gentlewoman. That, sir, which I will not report after 
her. 

Doctor. You may to me, and 't is most meet you should. 

Gentlewoman. Neither to you nor any one, having no 
witness to confirm my speech. 

Enter Lady Macbeth, with a taper. 
Lo you, here she comes ! This is her very guise; and, upon 
my life, fast asleep. Observe her ; stand close. 

Doctor. How came she by that light? 

Gentlewoman. Why, it stood by her: she has light by 
her continually; 't is her command. 20 

Doctor. You see, her eyes are open. 

Gentlewoman. Ay, but their sense is shut. 

(94) 



scene i] MACBETH 95 

Doctor. What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs 
her hands. 

Gentlewoman. It is an accustomed action with her, to 
seem thus washing her hands : I have known her continue 
in this a quarter of an hour. 

Lady Macbeth. Yet here 's a spot. 

Doctor. Hark! she speaks: I will set down what comes 
from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly. 30 

Lady Macbeth. Out, damned spot! out, I say! — One: 
two: why, then 't is time to do 't. — Hell is murky! — Fie, 
my lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard ? What need we fear 
who knows it, when none can call our power to account? — 
Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so 
much blood in him? 

Doctor. Do you mark that? 

Lady Macbeth. The thane of Fife had a wife: where is 
she now ? — What, will these hands ne'er be clean ? — No 
more o' that, my lord, no more o' that: you mar all with 
this starting. 41 

Doctor. Go to, go to ; you have known what you should 
not. 

Gentlewoman. She has spoke what she should not, I am 
sure of that: heaven knows what she has known. 

Lady Macbeth. Here 's the smell of the blood still : all 
the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. 
Oh, oh, oh ! 

Doctor. What a sigh is there ! The heart is sorely 
charged. 50 

Gentlewoman. I would not have such a heart in my 
bosom for the dignity of the whole body. 

Doctor. Well, well, well, — 



96 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act v 

Gentlewoman. Pray God it be, sir. 

Doctor. This disease is beyond my practice : yet I have 
known those which have walked in their sleep who have 
died holily in their beds. 

Lady Macbeth. Wash your hands, put on your night- 
gown ; look not so pale. — I tell you yet again, Banquo 's 
buried ; he cannot come out on 's grave. 60 

Doctor. Even so ? 

Lady Macbeth. To bed, to bed ! there ? s knocking at the 
gate ; come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What 
? s done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed ! [Exit. 

Doctor. Will she go now to bed ? 

Gentlewoman. Directly. 

Doctor. Foul whisperings are abroad. Unnatural deeds 
Do breed unnatural troubles : infected minds 
To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets. 
More needs she the divine than the physician. — 
God, God forgive us all ! — Look after her ; 
Remove from her the means of all annoyance, 
And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night: 
My mind she has mated, and amaz'd my sight. 
I think, but dare not speak. 

Gentlewoman. Good night, good doctor. 

[Exeunt. 

Scene II. The Country near Dunsinane. 
Drum and colours. Enter Menteith, Caithness, Angus, 
Lennox, and Soldiers. 
Menteith. The English power is near, led on by Mal- 
colm, 
His uncle Siward, and the good Macduff. 



scene ii] MACBETH 97 

Revenges burn in them; for their dear causes 
Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm 
Excite the mortified man. 

Angus. Near Birnam wood ■ 

Shall we well meet them ; that way are they coining. 

Caithness. Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother? 

Lennox. For certain, sir, he is not. I have a file 
Of all the gentry: there is Siward's son, 
And many unrough youths, that even now 10 

Protest their first of manhood. 

Menteith. What does the tyrant? 

Caithness. Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies. 
Some say he 's mad ; others, that lesser hate him, 
Do call it valiant fury : but, for certain, 
He cannot buckle his distemperd cause 
Within the belt of rule. 

Angus. Now does he feel 

His secret murthers sticking on his hands; 
Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach: 
Those he commands move only in command, 
Nothing in love; now does he feel his title 
Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe 
Upon a dwarfish thief. 

Menteith. Who then shall blame 

His pester' d senses to recoil and start, 
When all that is within him does condemn 
Itself for being there ? 

Caithness. Well, march we on, 

To give obedience where 't is truly owed: 
Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal, 
And with him pour we in our country's purge 
-7 



98 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act v 

Each drop of us. 

Lennox. Or so much as it needs, 

To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds. 
Make we our march towards Birnam. {Exeunt, marching. 

Scene III. Dunsinane. A Room in the Castle. 
Enter Macbeth, Doctor, and Attendants. 

Macbeth. Bring me no more reports ; let them fly all : 
Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane, 
I cannot taint with fear. What 's the boy Malcolm ? 
Was he not born of woman ? The spirits that know 
All mortal consequences have pronounc'd me thus: 
Tear not, Macbeth ; no man that 's born of woman 
Shall e'er have power upon thee.' Then fly/false thanes, 
And mingle with the English epicures : 
The mind I sway by and the heart I bear 
Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear. 10 

Enter a Servant. 
The devil damn thee black, thou cream-fac'd loon! 
Where gott'st thou that goose look ? 

Servant. There is ten thousand — 

Macbeth. Geese, villain? 

Servant. Soldiers, sir. 

Macbeth. Go prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, 
Thou lily-liver' d boy. What soldiers, patch ? 
Death of thy soul ! those linen cheeks of thine 
Are counsellors to fear. What soldiers, whey-face? 

Servant. The English forces, so please you. 

Macbeth. Take thy face hence. — [Exit Servant. 

Seyton! — I am sick at hear:, 
When I behold— Seyton, I say!— This push 20 



scene m] MACBETH 99 

Will cheer me ever, or dis-ease me now. 

I have liv'd long enough : my way of life 

Is fallen into the sear, the yellow leaf, 

And that which should accompany old age, 

As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, 

I must not look to have; but, in their stead, 

Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, 

Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not. — 

Seyton ! 

Enter Seyton. 

Seyton. What 's your gracious pleasure ? 

Macbeth. What news more ? 30 

Seyton. All is confirm'd, my lord, which was reported. 

Macbeth. I '11 fight till from my bones my flesh be 
hack'd. 
Give me my armour. 

Seyton. 'T is not needed yet. 

Macbeth. I '11 put it on. 
Send out moe horses, skirr the country round; 
Hang those that talk of fear. Give me mine armour. — 
How does your patient, doctor? 

Doctor. Not so sick, my lord, 

As she is troubled with thick-coming fancies, 
That keep her from her rest. 

Macbeth. Cure her of that. 

Canst thou not minister to a mind diseas'd, 
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, 
Raze out the written troubles of the brain, 
And with some sweet oblivious antidote 
Cleanse the stuff' d bosom of that perilous stuff 
Which weighs upon the heart? 

LofC. 



100 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act v 

Doctor. Therein the patient 

Must minister to himself. 

Macbeth. Throw physic to the dogs, I '11 none of it. — 
Come, put mine armour on ; give me my staff. — 
Seyton, send out. — Doctor, the thanes fly from me. — 
Come, sir, dispatch. — If thou couldst, doctor, cast 
The water of my land, find her disease, 
And purge it to a sound and pristine health, 
I would applaud thee to the very echo, 
That should applaud again. — Pull 't off, I say. — 
What rhubarb, senna, or what purgative drug, 
Would scour these English hence ? Hear'st thou of them ? 

Doctor. Ay, my good lord ; your roj T al preparation 
Makes us hear something. 

Macbeth. Bring it after me. — 

I will not be afraid of death and bane 
Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane. [Exit. 

Doctor. W T ere I from Dunsinane away and clear, 
Profit again should hardly draw me here. [Exit. 

Scene IV. Country near Birnam Wood. 
Drum, and colours. Enter Malcolm, old Siwawv and his 

Son, Macduff, Menteith, Caithness, Angus, Len- 
nox, Ross, and Soldiers, marching. 

Malcolm. Cousins, I hope the days are near at hand 
That chambers will be safe. 

Menteith. We doubt it nothing. 

Siward. What wood is this before us ? 

Menteith. The wood of Birnam. 

Malcolm. Let every soldier hew him down a bough, 
And bear 7 t before him; thereby shall we shadow 



scene iv] MACBETH 101 

The numbers of our host, and make discovery 
Err in report of us. 

Soldiers. It shall "be done. 

Siward. We learn no other but the confident tyrant 
Keeps still in Dunsinane, and will endure 
Our setting down before 't. 

Malcolm. 'T is his main hope; 10 

For where there is advantage to be given, 
Both more and less have given him the revolt, 
And none serve with him but constrained things 
Whose hearts are absent too. 

Macduff. Let our just censures 

Attend the true event, and put we on 
Industrious soldiership. 

Siward. The time approaches 

That will with due decision make us know 
What we shall say we have and what we owe. 
Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate, 
But certain issue strokes must arbitrate ; 
Towards which advance the war. [Exeunt, marching. 

Scene V. Dunsinane. Within the Castle. 
Enter Macbeth, Seyton, and Soldiers, with drum and 

colours. 
Macbeth. Hang out our banners on the outward walls ; 
The cry is still They come !' Our castle's strength 
Will laugh a siege to scorn ; here let them lie 
Till famine and the ague eat them up. 
Were they not forc'd with those that should be ours, 
We might have met them dareful, beard to beard, 
And beat them backward home. [A cry of women within. 



102 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act v 

What is that noise ? 

Seyton. It is the cry of women, my good lord. [Exit. 

Macbeth. I have almost forgot the taste of fears : 
The time has been, my senses would have cool'd 
To hear a night-shriek, and my fell of hair 
Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir 
As life were in 't. I have supp'd full with horrors ; 
Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts, 
Cannot once start me. — 

Re-enter Seyton". 

Wherefore was that cry? 

Seyton. The queen, my lord, is dead. 

Macbeth. She should have died hereafter; 
There would have been a time for such a word. 
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, 
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day 
To the last syllable of recorded time, 
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools 
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle ! 
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player 
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage' 
And then is heard no more; it is a tale 
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, 
Signifying nothing. 

Enter a Messenger. 
Thou com'st to use thy tongue; thy story quickly. 

Messenger. Gracious my lord, 30 

I should report that which I say I saw, 
But know not how to do it. 

Macbeth. Well, say, sir. 

Messenger. As I did stand my watch upon the hill, 



scene vi] MACBETH 103 

I look'd toward Birnam, and anon, methought, 
The wood began to move. 

Macbeth. Liar and slave! 

Messenger. Let me endure your wrath, if 't be not so : 
Within this three mile you may see it coming; 
I say, a moving grove. 

Macbeth. If thou speak'st false, 

Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive 
Till famine cling thee; if thy speech be sooth, 40 

I care not if thou dost for me as much. — 
I pull in resolution, and begin 
To doubt the equivocation of the fiend 
That lies like truth: Tear not, till Birnam wood 
Do come to Dunsinane;' and now a wood 
Comes toward Dunsinane. — Arm, arm, and out! — 
If this which he avouches does appear, 
There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here. 
I gin to be aweary of the sun. 

And wish the estate o' the world were now undone. — 50 
Ring the alarum-bell ! — Blow, wind ! come, wrack ! 
At least we ? 11 die with harness on our back. [Exeunt. 

Scene VI. Dunsinane. Before the Castle. 
Drum and colours. Enter Malcolm, old Siward, Mac- 
duff, and their Army, with boughs. 
Malcolm. Now near enough: your leavy screens throw 
down, 
And show like those you are. — You, worthy uncle, 
Shall with my cousin, your right-noble son, 
Lead our first battle ; worthy Macduff and we 
Shall take upon 's what else remains to do, 



104 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act v 

According to our order. 

Siward. Fare you well. 

Do we but find the tyrant's power to-night, 
Let us be beaten, if we cannot fight. 

Macduff. Make all our trumpets speak; give them all 
breath, 
Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death. [Exeunt. 

Scene VII. Another Part of the Field. 
Alarums. Enter Macbeth. 
Macbeth. They have tied me to a stake; I cannot fly, 
But, bear-like, I must fight the course. What's he 
That was not born of woman ? Such a one 
Am I to fear, or none. 

Enter young Siward. 
Young Siward. What is thy name? 
Macbeth. Thou 'It be afraid to hear it. 

Young Siward. No; though thou call' st thyself a hotter 
name 
Than any is in hell. 

Macbeth. My name 's Macbeth. 

Young Siward. The devil himself could not pronounce 
a title 
More hateful to mine ear. 

Macbeth. No, nor more fearful. 

Young Siward. Thou liest, abhorred tyrant; with my 
sword 
I '11 prove the lie thou speak'st. 

[They fight, and young Siward is stain. 
Macbeth. Thou wast born of woman. — 

But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn, 
Brandish'd bv man that 's of a woman born. [Exit. 



scene vin] MACBETH 105 

Alarums. Enter Macduff. 
Macduff. That way the noise is. — Tyrant, show thy 
face! 
If thou be'st slain and with no stroke of mine, 
My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still. 
I cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms 
Are hir'd to bear their staves: either thou, Macbeth, 
Or else my sword with an unbatter'd edge 
I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be; 20 
By this great clatter, one of greatest note 
Seems bruited. Let me find him, 'fortune! 
And more I beg not. [Exit. Alarums. 

Enter Malcolm and old Siwaed. 
Siward. This way, my lord. The castle 's gently ren- 
der'd: 
The tyrant's people on both sides do fight; 
The noble thanes do bravely in the war ; 
The day almost itself professes yours, 
And little is to do. 

Malcolm. We have met with foes 

That strike beside us. 

Siward. Enter, sir, the castle. 

[Exeunt. Alarum. 

Scene VIII. Another part of the Field. 
Enter Macbeth. 
Macbeth. Why should I play the Koman fool, and die 
On mine own sword ? whiles I see lives, the gashes 
Do better upon them. 



106 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act v 

Enter Macduff. 

Macduff. Turn, hell-hound, turn! 

Macbeth. Of all men else I have avoided thee: 
But get thee back ; my soul is too much charg'd 
With blood of thine already. 

Macduff. I have no words; 

My voice is in my sword, thou bloodier villain 
Than terms can give thee out ! [They figJtt. 

Macbeth. Thou losest labour. 

As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air 
With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed : J ° 

Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests; 
I bear a charmed life, which must not yield 
To one of woman born. 

Macduff. Despair thy charm, 

And let the angel whom thou still hast serv'd 
Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother's womb 
Untimely ripp'd. 

Macbeth. Accursed be that tongue that tells me so, 
For it hath cow'd my better part of man ! 
And be these juggling fiends no more believ'd, 
That palter with us in a double sense; 20 

That keep the word of promise to our ear, 
And break it to our hope. — I '11 not fight with thee. 

Macduff. Then yield thee, coward, 
And live to be the show and gaze o' the time: 
We '11 have thee, as our rarer monsters are, 
Painted upon a pole, and underwrit, 
llere may you see the tyrant.' 

Macbeth. I will not yield, 

To kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet, 



scene viii] MACBETH 107 

And to be baited with the rabble's curse. 
Though Birnam wood be come to Dunsinane, 
And thou oppos'd, being of no woman born, 
Yet I will try the last. Before my body 
I throw my warlike shield: lay on, Macduff, 
And damn'd be him that first cries 'Hold, enough!' 

[Exeunt, fighting. Alarums. 
Retreat. Flourish. Enter, with drum and colours, Mal- 
colm, old Siward, Ross, the other Thanes, and Soldiers. 

Malcolm. I would the friends we miss were safe arriv'd. 

Siward. Some must go off ; and yet, by these I see, 
So great a day as this is cheaply bought. 

Malcolm. Macduff is missing, and your noble son. 

Ross. Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt: 
He only liv'd but till he was a man ; 40 

The which no sooner had his prowess confirm'd 
In the unshrinking station where he fought, 
But like a man he died. 

Siward. Then he is dead ? 

Ross. Ay, and brought off the field: your cause of 
sorrow 
Must not be measur'd by his worth, for then 
It hath no end. 

Siward. Had he his hurts before ? 

Ross. Ay, on the front. 

Siward. Why then, God's soldier be he ! 

Had I as many sons as I have hairs, 
I would not wish them to a fairer death; 
And so his knell is knoll'd. 

Malcolm. He ? s worth more sorrow, 60 

And that I '11 spend for him. 



108 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS [act v 

Siward. He 's worth no more : 

They say he parted well and paid his score ; 
And so God be with him ! Here comes newer comfort. 
Re-enter Macduff, with Macbeth's head. 

Macduff. Hail, king! for so thou art. Behold, where 
stands 
The usurper's cursed head; the time is free. 
I see thee compass' d with thy kingdom's pearl, 
That speak my salutation in their minds; 
Whose voices I desire aloud with mine: 
Hail, King of Scotland! 

All. Hail, King of Scotland! [Flourish. 

Malcolm. We shall not spend a large expense of time 60 
Before we reckon with your several loves, 
And make us even with you. My thanes and kinsmen, 
Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland 
In such an honour nam'd. W T hat 's more to do, 
Which would be planted newly with the time, — 
As calling home our exil'd friends abroad 
That fled the snares of watchful tyranny, 
Producing forth the cruel ministers 
Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen, 
Who, as 't is thought, by self and violent hands 70 

Took off her life, — this, and what needful else 
That calls upon us, by the grace of Grace 
We will perform in measure, time, and place: 
So, thanks to all at once and to each one, 
Whom we invite to see us crown'd at Scone. 

[Flourish. Exeunt. 



NOTES TO MACBETH. 



ABBKEVIATIONS. 

Adjective Adj. 

Adverb Adv. 

Antony and Cleopatra. A. & G. 

Dictionary Diet. 

Edition Ed. 

English Grammar Eng. Gram. 

Hamlet Ham. 

Julius Caesar J. G. 

Lady Macbeth Lady M. 

Macbeth Macb. 

Obsolete Obs. 

Shakespeare Shak. 



(110) 



NOTES. 



ACT I. 

Scene I. Note the stage setting of this scene. 

8. Graymalkin. Grimalkin, a gray cat. 

9. Paddock. A toad. 

Scene II.— 6. Say. Tell. Broil. Battle. 

9. Choke their art. Prevent any skill in the art of swimming 
by clinging together and hindering each other's movements. 
10. To that. To that end. 

13. Of kerns and gallowglasses. With light-armed and heavy- 
armed foot soldiers from Ireland and the Western Isles. 

14. Quarrel. Occasion of strife. 
19. Minion. Favorite one. 

22. From the nave to the chaps. From the navel to the throat. 

25. Gins. Begins. The simile here used refers to the conditions 
attending the spring equinox. Although it marks the approach of a 
pleasant season, it is attended with dangerous storms. 

31. Surveying vantage. Seeing his opportunity. 

32. Furbished. Burnished. 

37. Cracks. Figure of metonymy. 

40. Memorize. Make memorable. 

41. / cannot tell . Completed, "I cannot tell what they meant 

to do, if not this." 

53. Cawdor. "Cawdor Castle is about five miles south of Nairn 
and about fifteen from Inverness. The royal license to build it was 
granted by James II., in 1454. There is a tradition that a 'wise 
man' counseled the Thane of Cawdor to load an ass with a chest full 
of gold, and to use the money in building a castle at the third haw- 
thorn tree at which the beast should stop. The advice was followed, 
and the castle built round the tree, the trunk of which is still shown 
in the basement of the tower. The castle is still in excellent preserva- 
tion, being used as a summer residence by the Earl of Cawdor." 

(HI) 



112 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

54. Bellona's bridegroom. Bellona, the companion, wife, or sister 
of Mars. Shak. evidently compares Macbeth to Mars. 

Lapp'd in proof. Wrapped or clothed in the armor of proof. 

55. Him. Antecedent is Norway. 

56. Rebellious. Resisting. 

57. Lavish. Unrestrained. 
59. Composition. (See Diet.) 

61. Saint Colnie's Inch. Incheolm, an island in the Firth of 
Forth. 

62. Dollars. An anachronism. 

64. Bosom interest. Affection, or intimate concern. 
Present. Immediate. 

Scene III. Note setting of this scene. 

6. Aroint. (See Diet.) 
Rump-fed. Well fed. 
Rom/on. (See Diet.) 

7. Aleppo. A city in Turkey in Asia. In early times the city 
was one of the great emporiums of trade between Europe and the 
East. In Hakluyt's Voyages are found accounts of the ship Tiger 
of London making a voyage to Aleppo in 1583. 

8. A sieve. Used by witches for a boat. 

9. Without a tail. Witches might take the form of any animal, 
but the tail would be lacking. 

10. / '11 do. That is, gnaw through the ship's bottom, and 
wreck it. 

11. I'll give thee a wind, Witches were supposed to sell winds. 
The giving was a mark of kindness. 

17. The shopman's card. The card of the compass. 
21. Forbid. Under a curse. 
33. Posters. "Speedy travelers." (Schmidt.) 
35. Thrice-nine, Three and nine and their multiples were favor- 
ite numbers of the witches. 

38. So fair anil foul a day. Compare I., 1, 11. A reflection of the 
witches' words is here. Macb. may have referred to the hard fight- 
ing and final victories of the day. For him it was both foul and fair, 
for he was at the height of honest greatness and on the brink of 
his downfall. 

39. Forres. A city on the Moray Frith, a few miles from Inver- 
ness. Near by it is the "blasted heath." Of this dismal tract of 
land Knight says: "There is not a more dreary piece of moorland 



NOTES 113 

to be found in all Scotland. It is without tree or shrub. A few 
patches of oats are visible here and there, and the eye reposes on a 
fir plantation at one extremity; but all around is bleak and brown, 
made up of peat and bog-water, white stones, and bushes of furze. 
The desolation of the scene in stormy weather, or when the twilight 
fogs are trailing over the pathless heath or settling down upon the 
pools, must be indescribable." 

48. Glamis. Pronounced by the Scotch, "Glams." The castle of 
Glamis and the little village near it are situated north of Perth. 
The castle was at one time used as the king's residence. In describ- 
ing it Sir Walter Scott says: "It was the scene of the murder of 
a Scottish king of great antiquity; not indeed the gracious Dun- 
can, with whom the name naturally associates it, but Malcolm II. 
It contains also a curious monument of the peril of feudal time*, 
being a secret chamber, the entrance to which, by the law or custom 
of the family, must only be known to three persons at once — the 
Earl of Strathmore, his heir-apparent, and any third person whom 
they may take into their confidence. The extreme antiquity of the 
building is vouched by the immense thickness of the walls, and the 
wild and straggling arrangement of the accommodation within- 
doors." 

53. Fantastical. That is, creations of the mind, or fancy. 

66. Happy. Fortunate. 

67. Get. Beget. 

71. Sinel. Holinshed thinks this was Macbeth's father. 

72-75. But how of Cawdor? etc. Cawdor was not prosperous, for 
he had just suffered defeat as a rebel. There is a suggestion of deceit 
in Macbeth's language here. 

76. Owe. Own, or possess. 

81. Corporal. Now usually written corporeal. 

82. As breath into the wind. An exquisite simile. 
84. On. Of. See J. C— I., 2, 71. "Jealous on me." 

Insane root. The root causing insanity. Very probably, hem- 
lock is meant. The witches used it in their composition of evil 
stuffs for a charm. 

91. Thy personal venture. The combat between Macbeth and 
Macdonwald. 

92-93. His wonders, etc. A conflict in the king's mind between 
his astonishment and his admiration as to which should be greater. 



114 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

That refers to this conflict. 

he cannot decide, he gives up trying. 

97. As thick as tale. A much-disputed line. The folio has tale. 
Some editors change to hail, which was a common expression among 
early writers. 

106. Addition. Title. 

114. Wrack. (See Diet.) See V., 5, 51. "Blow, wind! come, 
wrack ! " 

128. Swelling act. (See Diet.) 

137. Use of nature. See J. C— II., 2, 25. "Beyond all use." 

Present fears, etc. Action is checked by the presence of 
these "horrible imaginings." 

147. Time and the hour. Time and the proper settlement of 
things will go on as appointed, outside of man's power. 

Scene IV.— 10. Owed. See I., 3, 76. 

11. There's no art. There was none for Duncan, who turned 
without reflection from one traitor to build "an absolute trust" on 
his successor, the doubly treacherous Macbeth. 

39. Cumberland. The title of the Crown Prince of Scotland was 
Prince of Cumberland. 

50. Stars, hide your fires. Compare Lady M.'s speech, I., 5, 48. 
"Come, thick night," etc. 

Scene V. — 2. Perfcctcst report. By the best kind of knowledge, — 
the fulfillment of their promises having already begun. 
5. Missives. Those sent; messengers. 

14-23. Yet I do fear, etc. Here is Lady M.'s estimate of Mae- 
beth's character. 

26. Golden round. The crown. 

27. Metaphysical. Here meaning supernatural, — an obsolete use. 
In reality, the present use of metaphysical is also applicable, for 
the mind had created this aid. 

29. Thou 'rt mad to say it. Lady M., taken suddenly with the 
news, loses her self-control. It is madness in Duncan to go straight 
to his doom; for she knows the coming will result in his death. 

36. The raven. The bird of ill-omen, hoarse from croaking Dun- 
can's fate. 

39. Mortal. Deadly. 

42. Remorse. Relenting pity. A common use of the term by 
Shak. 



NOTES 1J5 

47. Sightless substances. Invisible forms. 

70. Favour. Appearance. To wear an altered appearance begets 
the fear in others that is in oneself. 

Scene VI. — 7. Coign of vantage. An external angle offering a 
favorable situation. 

14. God Held. God yield. 

20. Hermits. Beadsmen, praying for you. 
26. In compt. In account. 

Scene VII. This scene opens with one of the finest passages in 
the whole play. Contrast lines 1-28 with V., 3, 20-28; V., 5, 
9-28, 49-52. 

4. His surcease. Its conclusion. 

6. Bank and shoal of time. Some critics render, "this bench and 
school" where "bloody instruction" is taught; schoole being the 
term used in the folios. Others render it bank and shallow, as con- 
trasted with the wide deeps of Eternity. The latter is certainly a 
fine figure. 

7. We'd jump the life to come. Jump = risk. If there were 
no retribution to follow guilt in this world, Macb. would not con- 
cern himself about the punishment in the next. 

8. That. So that. 

11. Commends. (See Diet.) 
17. Faculties. (See Diet.) 

21. Like a naked new-born babe, etc. One of Shak.'s extravagant 
similes. 

22. Cherubin. (Obs.) 

23. Sightless couriers. Invisible couriers. See I., 5, 47. 

25. I have no spur, etc. Notice the two metaphors in the lines. 

35. Was the hope drunk, etc. A mixture of metaphors. Hope is 
first personified, then compared to a garment. The passage is, how- 
ever, very strong. Lady M. goads her husband on to the. murder by 
calling him a coward not to do it. 

45. The poor cat, etc. "The cate would eate fishe but would not 
wet her fete." Heywood's Proverbs. 

52. Adhere. Cohere. 

53. That their fitness. See J. C— II., 1, 112. "This our lofty 
scene." 

64. (See Diet.) 

65. That memory, etc. According to early students of anatomy, 



116 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

the brain was divided into three parts. In the cerebellum, memory 
was placed to guard the reason. When, therefore, memory became 
a fume, the receptacle of reason became an alembic to hold this 
fume or vaporized memory filling the brain. In such condition, 
little chance was there for the exercise of the intelligence. 
68. A death. A kind of death, or deepest sleep. 

72. Quell. A softer word for murder. 

73. Mettle. Metal. 

80. Each corporal agent. All the powers of the body. 

ACT II. 

Scene I. — 14. Offices. Servants' quarters. 

16. Shut up. In measureless content he shut up the jewel in 
its case. So Hunter decides. Other critics understand it as finish- 
ing or concluding the giving "in measureless content." 

28. Franchis'd. (See Diet.) 

62. The bell invites me. An arrangement previously made with 
Lady M. 

63. Knell. The bell rung when a person was dying. 

Scene II. — 1. That which hath made them drunk. Of the several 
interpretations of this passage, the clearest one seems to be that 
Lady M. was stimulated by the night-cup which, drugged, had made 
drunk the grooms. 

3. Owl. Always with the English a bird of superstition. 

6. Possets. "Hot milk poured on ale or sack, having sugar, 
grated biscuit, and eggs, with other ingredients boiled in it, which 
goes all to a curd." — Academy of Armorie. 

23. That. So that. 

24. Addressed. Prepared. 

27. Hangman's. Executioner's. 

31. But wherefore, etc. An effort of Macbeth to respect himself 
still. His mind will soon be too "full of scorpions" for him to ask 
such questions. 

35. Sleep no more, etc. See R. G. White, "The Lady Gruach's 
Husband." Macb. did murder sleep for Lady M. and for himself. 
See V., 1. 

37. RavelVd sleave. Tangled knitting silk. 

38-40. Notice the beautiful metaphors here grouped. 

46. Brainsickly. Madly. 

Go get some water. See V., 1, 58. 



NOTES 117 

56. Oild. Paint with blood. Gold was then called red, (see II., 
3, 94,) and golden blood was a not uncommon term; hence "gild 
the faces." 

60. Will all great Neptune's ocean, etc. Compare V., 1, 49. 
"All the perfumes of Arabia," etc. 

63. Making the green one red. Making the green sea entirely red, 
all of one color, — red. 

67. A little water clears us of this deed. The only water that 
could clear them is that used to typify the inward cleansing, and 
put on only "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost." 

70. Nightgown. A robe-de-chambre. 

Scene III. The much-discussed Porter, it is conceded by the 
best critics, belongs to Shak. and not to some play-tinker who put 
him in to "split the ears of the groundlings." The tension of the 
audience is here relieved for a moment by this drunken watchman's 
speech. Shak. understood the need of this, and his hand must have 
depicted the coarse old Scotchman who guarded the gate. 
2. Old. A colloquial term. 

4. A farmer. In 1606 there was promise of unusual crops. 
Wheat was sold at a lower price than it was at any time during 
the next thirteen years. 

5. Napkins. Handkerchiefs. 
Enow. Plural of enough. 

8. An equivocator. Probably Shak. here refers to the Jesuits, 
who were a powerful order then, and who justified any means to 
the end of increasing the power of the Pope of Rome. 

17. The primrose way, etc. See Ham. I., 3, 50. "The primrose 
path of dalliance." 

22. The second cock. Three o'clock. 

27. Timely. The common use of adj. for adv. by Shak. 

31. Physics. Cures. 

33. Limited. Set, or appointed. 

35-41. Compare with J. C. — I., 3. 

- The obscure bird. See J. C— I., 3, 26. "The bird of night." 

53. Gorgon. (See Diet.) 

59. The great doom's image. Image or type of the Judgment Day. 

74. Mortality. Human life. 

83. Badg'd. Used as a verb but once. 



118 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

93. Lav'd. Ornamented as with lace-work. 
Golden blood. See II., 2, 56. 

98. Breech'd. Sheathed. 

100. Although some critics have regarded the fainting of Lady 
M. as feigned, it seems a truer painting of her character to consider 
it real. It is the bravery that is feigned. The woman is, in fact, 
overwhelmed with horror at the whole transaction. From this time 
on, with one or two ineffectual rallies, she will decline in will-power, 
and become more and more a prey to remorse. 

102. Argument. (See Diet.) 

104. Hid in an auger-hole. In any little unsuspected place. 

113. Pretense. Intention. (Obs.) 

115. Manly readiness. The terms ready, and readiness, imply the 
condition of being dressed as prepared for immediate action. 

122. The near in blood, etc. The most nearly related one was 
the guiltiest one. 

Scene IV. — 8. Is 't night's predominance, etc. Is night aggres- 
sive, or day ashamed? 

12. Towering — mousing. Notice contrast between the two ad- 
jectives. 

15. Minions. See I., 2, 19. 

24. Pretend. See II., 3, 113. 

29. Like. Likely. 

31. Scone. This place is now almost unmarked. A little por- 
tion of Scone Abbey is still on what is now the estate of the Earl 
of Mansfield. The famous "stone of Scone," on which the kings of 
Scotland were crowned, is now in Westminster Abbey, a part of 
the coronation-seat there. 

33. Golme-kill. See I., 2, 61 (Note). The island of Iona, west 
of Scotland, was the earliest seat of Christianity in the north. Here 
St. Colomba founded a monastery, in 563 A. D. There was an old 
belief that in the final destruction of the earth Iona would be last 
to be destroyed. Hence its soil was sacred, and only saints and 
kings might be buried there. At one time on this island three hun- 
dred and fifty carved stone crosses marked tombs of important per- 
sonages or commemorated their deeds. All but two of these were 
destroyed in the latter part of the 16th century, by the anti-Catholic 
power. 

ACT III. 

Scene I. In the opening of this act, Banquo renounces the evil 
power of the Weird Sisters forever. 



NOTES 119 

13. All-thing. Everything. 

14. Solemn supper. An a flair of state. 
43. While then. Till then. 

Ecstacy. (See Diet.) 

55. "My genius;' etc. See A. & C— II., 3, 19. 

64. Fil'd. Defiled. 

67. Eternal jewel. Immortal soul. Recall here Macbeth's speech 
in the beginning of Scene VII., Act 1. 

71. Champion me to the utterance. Fight with me a outranpe. 
The term used when the challenge was to mortal combat, not to a 
mere test of skill. 

80. Probation. Act of proving. (Obs. use.) 

93. Clept. Called. 

96. House-keeper. Watchdog. 

99. Addition. See I., 3, 106. 

137. Resolve yourselves. Decide on your course. 

Scene II. — 21. On the torture. On the torture-rack. 
27. Gentle my lord. My gentle lord. 

Sleek. A term applied to the hair. 
41. Cloister d flight. Circling about the cloister towers at night- 
fall. 

46. Seeling. Blinding, a term used in falconry. 

Scene III. The third murderer is generally supposed to be Macb. 

himself. 

2. He needs not our mistrust, etc. We may trust him. 
10. Note of expectation. List of expected guests. 

Scene IV.— 5. Her state. Her chair of state. 

14. >T is better thee, etc. Differently interpreted. 1. Thee (the 
murderer) without. He (Banquo) within. 2. Outside of thee,— that 
is, the blood,— than within Banquo. 

23. Casing. Enveloping. 

32. Ourselves. Each other. 

35. To feed. Mere eating. 

36. From thence. Away from home. 
101. Arm'd. Armored. 

Hyrcan tiger. Hyrcania was a region southeast of the Cas- 
pian Sea. The allusion is poetical rather than accurate in fact. 
105. Inhabit. Live, or abide. (See Diet.) 



120 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

110. Admir'd. Strange. The early meaning of the verb was 
"wonder." 

111. Overcome. Overshadow. 

112*. You make me strange. You make me a stranger. 

119. Stand not upon the order of your going. Do not wait to 
go out in order of your rank, as court etiquette demanded. 

123. Stones. That is, stones of judgment used by the Druids. 

Trees. Probably the allusion here is to the story of Poly- 
dorus. 

128. How say'st thou? What think'st thou of the refusal? etc.. 

138. As go o'er. As going, or to go o'er. See Eng. Gram, 
on the use of infinitives and participles. 

141. Season. (See Diet.) 

142. My strange and self-abuse, etc. My strange self-deception is 
the fear of the beginner that lacks experience. 

Scene V.— 7. Close. Secret. (See Diet.) 

24. Profound. Having remarkable properties. 

26. Magic sleights. Tricks of magic. 

32-33. How full of meaning are these two lines, when we reflect 
on Macbeth's position. 

Scene VI. According to the Introduction to this edition, Scene 
VI closes the first great division of the drama. How admirably it 
leads up to the last two acts, preparing us at once for the final 
action of the play. Withal, there is in the scene something of 
nobility, of loyalty, and of hope, that refreshes the mind reduced 
by the horror and repellent loathing produced by the two scenes 
preceding this one. 

ACT IV. 

Scene I. — 3. Harpier. Probably a corrupt form of harpy. 

8. Swelter'd venom. Some naturalists formerly believed that 
the toad was venomous, and this venom lying underneath the skin, 
exuded in perspiration. 

22. Mummy. (See Diet.) 
Gulf. Gullet. 

23. Ravin'd. Ravenous. 

27. Yew. Considered poisonous. 

28. Eclipse. An unlucky time. 

32. Slab. Slimy. 

33. Chaudron. Entrails. 



NOTES 121 

44. Pricking. An ancient belief was that a sudden pricking or 
sensation of pain in the body that seemed to have no apparent 
cause, was a sign of some coming event. 

59. Germens. Germs. 

68. The commonly accepted interpretation of the apparitions is 
that the first represents Macbeth's head cut off by Macduff; the 
second is Macduff; the third is Malcolm. 

84. Take a bond of fate. Evidently Macb. does not credit the 
witches. Why should he harm Macduff if the second apparition has 
spoken the truth? 

88. The round. The crown. See I., 5, 26. "The golden round." 

93. Birnam wood — Dunsinane hill. Birnam village is now a 
suburb of Dunkeld. Twelve miles distant are the Dunsinane Hills. 
Only one or two trees at present remain of what was once the great 
forest of Birnam. 

95. Impress. Press into service. 

96. Bodements. Prophecies. 

99. Lease of nature. "Lease on life." 

121. Tioo-fold balls and treble sceptres. Suggestive of the sov- 
ereignty over England, Scotland, and Ireland. 

123. Blood-bolter 'd. Boltered is a Warwickshire provincialism, 
meaning the matting of the hair by perspiration on horses or other 
animals. 

127. Sprights. Spirits. 

Scene II. — 17. Fits o' the season. Uncertain condition of the 
times. 

19. When we hold rumour, etc. When we believe dreadful things 
will happen because we fear; yet have no reason to fear, since we 
have done no wrong. 

28. I am so much a fool. I am bo weak I should cry like a 
woman, and so be disgraced. 

34. Lime. Bird-lime. 

35. Gin. Snare. 

Scene III.— 3. Mortal. Deadly. 
4. Bestride. Stand up over. 
Bvrthdom. Fatherland. 

25. Perchance, etc. Perhaps because you left your wife I have 
cause to mistrust. 

26. Rawness. Without preparation. 



122 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

29. Jealousies. Suspicions caused by reports from Scotland. 

34. Affeer'd. Confirmed. 

48. More sundry ways. In more sundry ways. 

52. Open'd. Unfolded like buds, following out the figure in 
"grafted." 

58. Luxurious. Lustful. 

71. Convey your pleasures, etc. Indulge secretly. 

8G. Summer-seeming. Pertaining to the summer-time of life. 
Avarice is a life-long vice in contrast to the years of youthful 
passion. 

88. Foisons. Rich harvests. 

111. Died every day she lived. Lived a life of daily self-denial. 

134. Old Siward. The Earl of Northumberland, father-in-law 
of Duncan. 

145. Presently. Immediately. 

146. The evil. The king's evil, or scrofula. The power of curing 
this disease was claimed for most of the English sovereigns from 
Edward the Confessor down to the time of the Hanoverian rule. 

152. Mere. (See Diet.) 

153. A golden stamp. A coin hung about the neck of the person 
cured. A custom observed by the kings who succeeded Edward. It 
was called the "touch-piece." The one worn by Dr. Johnson, given 
him by Queen Anne, is now in the British Museum. 

172. Flowers in their caps. Referring to the custom of the High- 
landers, who put sprigs of heather in their caps when on the march. 
174. Too nice. Too exact. 

183. Were out. Had taken the field. 

184. Witness'd. Made credible. 

195. Latch. Catch. (See Diet.) 

196. Fee-grief. "A grief that hath a single owner." (Johnson.) 
212. Must be. It was my fate to be. 

220. Dispute it. Contend with it. Fight it down. 
239. Put on. "Set to work." (Schmidt.) 

ACT V. 

Scene I.— 9. Effects. Acts. 

10. Actual. Pertaining to action as distinguished from words. 

31-41. In these lines Lady M., seems to live through the murder 

of Duncan, the butchery of Macduff's family, and the assassination 



NOTES 123 

of Banquo, the three great crimes of Macbeth. The words, "No more 
o' that," etc., refer to the appearance of Banquo's ghost. 

72. Remove, etc. To prevent suicide. 

74. Mated. Bewildered. 

Scene II. — 5. Mortified man. "The veriest ascetic." (Moberly.) 
"Apathetic, insensible." (Scnmidt.) 

10. U nrough. Beardless. 

20. Now does he feel, etc. Notice the strength of the simile. 

Scene III. — 1. Them. The thanes. 

8. English epicures. The Scotch charged the English with 
being gluttonous. 

20. Push. Attack. 

22. May. Johnson suggests May as contrasted to autumn, the 
time of the "sear and yellow leaf." 

35. Moe. More. Skirr. Scour. 

47-56. Notice the change from the Doctor to Seyton and back 
again. How nervously Macb. demands his armor put on and then 
pulled off and brought after him. 

Scene IV. — 10. Our setting down. Beginning of siege. 

14. Our just censures. Let us wait and see by actual battle how 
many followers attend Macb. Meanwhile let us be industrious sol- 
diers. Here the truth of Hecate's words, "Security is mortals' 
chiefest enemy," might have been verified. 

Scene V. — 5. Forced. Reinforced. 

11. Fell. Skin. (See Diet.) 

12. Treatise. Story. 
14. Direness. Horror. 

42. Pull in. Check or rein in. 
50. Estate. Established order. 

Scene VII. — 1. They have tied me, etc. A figure based upon 
bear-baiting. The bear was tied to a stake, and a certain number 
of dogs allowed to make an attack at once upon him. These attacks 
were called courses. 

22. Bruited. Announced. 

24. Gently. Easily. 

29. Strike beside us. Macbeth's people aimed aside to save Mac- 
beth's enemies, and so fought with them rather than against them. 



124 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Scene VIII. — 1 Roman fool. Referring to the suicide of Brutus 
and Cassius. 

9. Intrenchment. (See Diet.) 
14. Angel. Genius, or ruling spirit. 
20. Palter. Equivocate. 

26. Upon a pole. Upon a cloth or poster hung on a pole. 
36. Go off. Die. 



John Brown, 

...BY... 

WILLIAM ELSEY CONNELLEY. 



Full Cloth, 426 pages, Antique Paper, $1.00, Prepaid. 



The two numbers of the Classic, "John Brown," bound in book 
form, with very copious notes and some additional text. The 
notes are full, and it is believed they are indispensable to a right 
understanding of the Territorial history of Kansas. Matters are 
discussed in them not mentioned in the Classics; this is especially 
true of the criticism of authorities. The notes give the text its 
full meaning — something it cannot always convey in their absence. 
Contains a complete index, making it a work of 426 pages. 

An accurate portrait of the grand old man forms the frontis- 
piece. 

This is the latest and most complete and valuable Life of 
John Brown published. Everything the research of the last fifteen 
years has brought to light will be found in this work. It is here 
conclusively shown that the attacks of those Free-State men who 
were opposed to him were in some cases inspired by town-site pro- 
moters, in others by jealousy and personal spite. In this volume 
the old hero and martyr finds his right place in the history of 
Kansas and the country. Every Kansan should have this great 
work. We have made the price very low. 



Crane & Company, Publishers, 

Topeka, Kansas. 



Economics, 



BY. 



FRANK W. BLACKMAR, Ph. D., 

Professor of Sociology and Economics in the University of Kansas. 



A new text-book for use in Schools and Colleges. 
Concise, scholarly, well arranged, and containing 
the latest conclusions of the most advanced stu- 
dents in this important field. 526 pages, Cloth, 
$1.00, postpaid. 



Professor Blackmar lias a national reputation as teacher and 
essayist. No man in the country has made more rapid advance to 
the first place in higher educational matters than has Mr. Black- 
mar. He is a thorough investigator and student, a successful 
teacher, and a sound thinker on social, political, and economic sub- 
jects. 

This book presents a complete working manual for students and 
instructors. It covers the entire field of economics, and presents all 
the elements of the science in a clear and concise manner. 

No attempt is made to elaborate particular theories. Only prin- 
ciples that have become permanently established are insisted upon. 
The methods are those demonstrated the best by long use in the class- 
room by the foremost instructors in the highest institutions. It is 
a model text-book, consisting of a well-arranged course of study, 
and having the leading principles of each subject presented in short 
paragraphs. 

This is the latest and best book upon this subject. We invite cor- 
respondence with a view to introduction. 

CRANE & CO. 



THE JOHN BROWN PAPERS 



A Historical Collection of Original Documents and 
Letters, Public, Private, and Family ; with Letters 
of the Men Connected with Osawatomie and Har- 
per's Ferry. 



The Editors of this Great Work are Colonel RICHARD J. HINTON. 

of Brooklyn, New York, and WILLIAM ELSEY 

CONNELLEY, of Topeka. 



Colonel Hinton is one of the few surviving pioneers of Kansas. He gave 
the best years of his life to her cause. He has written much on Kansas 
History. He knew personally all the great characters who fought and 
labored for Kansas freedom. He was one of the trusted friends of John 
Brown. Every man who went to Harper's Ferry was his friend and compan- 
ion. For him a man was tried and executed by the State of Virginia. Colo- 
nel Hinton's John Brown and His Men is one of the great historical works 
of the time. He has written a great many other able and valuable works. 

Mr. Connelley has written much and well on Kansas history, having just 
completed a Life of John Brown. His works are recognized as authority. 
He is a student, — one not afraid of work. He investigates. He digs 
down to the origin of things in every department of his subject. He be- 
lieves that much of genius lies in hard work. 

John Brown will live in history as the greatest of American reformers. 
The heroic age of any people is that in which its pioneers grapple with 
and subdue the wild forces of nature, — when savage men and primeval 
forests are made to bow to progress and civilization. In this conflict 
men try as in a balance their institutions. In this fierce retort is their sys- 
tem of government purified. What is fundamentally wrong is here cor- 
rected and eliminated. The true course of national life is discovered and 
defined. The truly great men of our country, Benton, Brown, Clay, Har- 
rison, Jefferson, Jackson, Washington, and Franklin, learned the ways of 
men and the spirit of liberty on the frontiers of the nation. 

In the heroic age of our country John Brown grew up in the wilderness 
of the Ohio Valley. The spirit of the Puritan Pilgrim was here quickened 
in him. He became the disciple of Jefferson, and lived to make a reality 

(127) 



what Jefferson left a theory. Here he developed the spirit of liberty which 
made him the hero of the people and a martyr for humanity. He changed 
our history and the course of our national life. No man is well informed 
in the history of America who has not carefully and deeply studied the life 
and times of John Brown. This fact makes his writings invaluable. The 
published biographies contain some of his letters and documents, but they 
are edited, corrected and changed. Students now demand to see exact 
facsimiles of documents ; they desire to decide for themselves their meaning. 
To supply this want is one of the purposes of the John Brown Papers. 
But it is to do much more than that. It will be a great work, worthy of the 
man and of the nation's cause. The letters will be grouped in a way to exhibit 
the forces generated on the frontiers of the Anglo-Saxon civilization in the 
forests of America. They will reveal phases of American life now past 
forever, but the effects of which will remain our most potent forces as long 
as we are a people. To these forces did John Brown owe much of the inspi- 
ration of his life. Every American should be familiar with them. He can- 
not rightly understand the institutions of our country without a thorough 
knowledge of their origin, operation, and effect. This the work is designed 
to facilitate. 

We solicit subscriptions to this great work. It will be a folio volume, 
embracing the Historical Papers of John Brown and his men, printed on 
fine paper, from new type, with wide margins, fine illustrations and auto- 
graph facsimiles, including an engraving of John Brown from the most cor- 
rect portrait in existence. It will be handsomely bound, and will contain 
about 550 pages. 

We have placed it at the extremely low price of $2.50. 

Fill out the following subscription blank and forward it to us : 



CRANE & COMPANY, 

Topeka, Kansas. 

Gentlemen :— I hereby subscribe for THE JOHN BROWN PAPERS, 
edited by Colonel Richard J. Hinton and William E. Connelley; price, 
$2.50, prepaid. 

If more than one 

copy is desired, Name, -• 

please indicate 

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(128) 



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